@Unpaiduberdriver That was my life for years! Although I only have 2, both over there in Europe. My DDs health condition is quiet at the moment but its still very worrisome.
Once they come back going over there again will be another burden and I think unlikely. Its trivial but I know that if her friends and housemates are fine she will think we were overly cautious. They will have stories of how they stayed it was great and so on. Missed the best part! FOMO.
But the reactions of many countries has led me to think that this disease is anything but mild. It males a nice story to calm the population to say most are so mild, no problem. I wonder if that is true, why all these doctors getting it and needing intensive care?
BTW a mortality that says “heart attack, liver failure, organ failure…” these things are CAUSED by COVID-19 as well as attacking those who already have it.
We are leaning towards an early return particularly if they can finish their studies remotely,
@Unpaiduberdriver Very hard decision! And having 3 days to make it…
Trust your gut!! @Unpaiduberdriver.
So I am a doctor and have an office Operating Room. My office follows CDC and has a Corona virus protocol. So went to order some stock like surgical gowns /gloves and yes some N95 masks. There are serious limitations and some stock sold out. We order from the same places the hospitals do. First time I ever saw this happen. Even getting some extra Purell locally 3/4 stores were sold out.
As an aside when I was 7 in 1968 I had the Hong Kong flu. That was a pandemic. I asked my mother about it who’s 90 and she said “You were sick for like 2 weeks. No big deal”… Lol…
@Charlotte44 I believe the stats are actually around 0.1% flu mortality, not 0.01%. CBS reported this morning that the flu has a 0.1 - 0.2% mortality rate in a “normal” year and 0.5% during a “bad” flu year. The coronavirus has over a 2% mortality rate making CNN correct in reporting that coronavirus does have a 20 times worse mortality rate than the normal flu (0.2% x 20 = 2%).
Check your math…
Mortality rates are also very age dependent. Under 40 it’s under 0.2%. 4% over 60, 15% over 80.
I just talked to people who work there - and there is no plan for that - now there are lots of feeder schools that send students there and they may have decided to pull their students out. I’ll try to find out more. FUA Florence University of the Arts hosts students from over 25 + different US schools and foreign universities as well so need to know details. There are a lot of rumors and creative use of the truth going on.
it depends on the program - NYU and Syracuse basically told their students they must vacate and leave - the people who work in the programs here do not want the students to go obviously but these decisions are coming from the home campuses. Since no emergency has been declared most insurance does not kick in and no refunds will be made - schools will argue that the students will still get credit - but do we really think that online is going to work? The faculty here are not used to online teaching and its a lot more work for both student and teacher and to oversee and administer - it is a mess and don’t think they have thought this through other than the whole fear of “liability”. Students who decide to stay could enroll in an intensive language program and maybe actually learn Italian and get out of the study abroad bubble.
@StudyAbroadMed From reports I’ve seen, there have only been to officially diagnosed cases of Covid-19 in Tuscany (which obviously includes Florence). Is that what you know?
Boston College closing its program in Parma. Wants the kids out by Mar 1. School will reimburse change fees for economy class tickets for any existing reservation to get kids home.
https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/sites/updates/coronavirus/update-on-bc-parma-students.html
@doschicos I’ve been trying to figure this out as well. I can’t find any information at all as to how many in Tuscany. I originally read there were 2 and then read two days ago there was an additional 26 year old. I wish it wasn’t so difficult to find out where the other cases outside of the Lombardy area are. My D is in Florence and we are due to visit soon.
@HalfMoon22 This Italian news site is showing a count by area and still, as of today, only has 2 for Tuscany. The UK, which seems to be giving better guidance than the USA, for travelers only has a 2nd level alert for the red zone in Italy (vs level 3 for China). Tuscany and below, is not a 2nd level alert.
@HalfMoon22 I did see reports that there are now 8 confirmed cases in Tuscany. 4 from a soccer team - 3 players and a coach.
CDC has moved Italy to Level 3 for travel to Italy. Meaning limit non-essential travel.
Can you send a link for Italy?
Just Google CDC italy
I see it on the CDC website. Our program will close according to the letter we received.
WFU suspends Venice 2020 Spring program:
Dear WFU/Venice: Casa Artom Students and Parents/Families,
I am writing in follow-up to my communication from earlier this week to inform you that Wake Forest has made the difficult decision to suspend the Spring 2020 semester program in Venice. Though we still assess the health risk to students to be low, this decision follows our review of all the information currently available, including the possibility of further travel restrictions to/from Italy.
Thus, effective Friday, February 28, we will cease academic operations in Venice and close Casa Artom. We ask that all students begin making immediate preparations to depart the house by Sunday, March 1. To begin the process, please contact directly your airline of record on your roundtrip ticket or your booking source (e.g. Expedia). We have spoken with a travel agency today and have confirmed that flights continue to operate normally out of Venice and that the airlines have ample available seats.
Our primary goals are the safety of students and ensuring they can return to the U.S. We know this is difficult for students, and we are doing everything we can to make this transition as smooth as possible. As such, anyone with special circumstances for whom making these flight changes may present a logistical or financial challenge, may contact the Center for Global Programs & Studies at 336-758-5938 during regular business hours today (8:30am-5:00pm EST).
Looking ahead to the remainder of the semester, we have made arrangements for students, at no additional cost, to reside in on-campus housing beginning Sunday, March 15 after spring break. Dr. West will provide the students with a list of available residence hall rooms from which they will choose before leaving Casa Artom. Although students will not be able to select a roommate with whom they will be living, students can later follow existing Residence Life & Housing procedures for room changes if a change is desired. Please note that students are free to make their own alternative housing arrangements to reside off-campus; however, it will be at their own additional expense. Also, if any student needs housing prior to spring break, we will work to accommodate them accordingly.
Students will also be provided the “Apartment Meal Plan” at no additional cost. This plan should provide sufficient access to meals for the remainder of the semester. However, students may choose a more substantial meal plan at their own incremental expense if they desire.
Regarding coursework, students will be able to continue the business courses with Dr. West on campus. We are currently exploring the best options for the remaining classes; however, instruction in some format will resume for all classes the week of March 16, following Wake Forest’s spring break.
This is a challenging moment for everyone, and we are most appreciative of your patience and flexibility now and in the days ahead. We will continue to provide updated information and support you through this process.
Sincerely,
David F. Taylor
Assistant Dean for Global Study Away
FWIW: Google has banned employee travel to two districts in Italy (Lombardy & Veneto). Also banned travel to Iran, South Google, & Japan.