@charlotte44 what college is your daughter in Rome with?
EDIT: Post #119 above: Should read “South Korea”, not “South Google”.
College of William and Mary
Deleted, duplicate post
I feel so sad about the whole thing. So much thought, anticipation and planning went into arranging this trip. We were just trying to explain to our DD about our fears and how there might be many different ways that this could impact her trip in a negative way. We left it for her to decide. Then we looked on here with the level 3 news. At that point the program automatically cancels and makes arrangements to send the students home.
I felt that it was OK that at least it wasn’t only us as parents who found this concerning so we are not the agents of the cancellation. It is still sad because it was such a perfect trip thus far.
Then comes the realization that this COVID-19 is a very serious situation that will impact many other people than ourselves. We can only hope that science and people will find a way to make it less awful,
@Charlotte44 It’s so disappointing, I know. Trusting that this is a life experience that our young adults will grow from; but, so not what any of us thought would happen as we sent our kids abroad.
Just heard from a relative that Notre Dame is bringing its study abroad students home from Rome. So disappointing for my niece who is a student there. She has been there since fall, though. Worse for those who were only doing this semester.
My D and her H spent 5+ years in Florence and finally settled back in the USA last fall, though my D wanted to stay another year. I’m glad now that her H’s wishes prevailed.
At some point, we will be Planet Google. :naughty: 
Are your students being told they will need to self-quarantine when they arrive back in the USA? I haven’t seen anything official on that - quarantines required for people returning from Italy - but saw this in a story on Notre Dame on CBS. This group isn’t even in Italy’s “red zone”.
"After the U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for Italy on Friday, warning Americans to “Reconsider travel” to the country, the University of Notre Dame ended its study abroad program in Rome for the semester.
“The 106 Notre Dame students studying in Rome will be flown back to the United States as soon as possible,” the university wrote in a Facebook post. “Affiliated faculty and staff who choose to return to the United States will also be flown back.”
The university added that in accordance with U.S. protocol, the students will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon returning to America. Notre Dame noted that more than half of that quarantine time will occur during the school’s spring break." (CBS)
My DD’s spring break study abroad to South Korea was postponed until next year. She has a study abroad this summer to Peru. We are crossing our fingers that South America remains unaffected. We have only paid the deposit so far and will wait until the last minute to pay the balance so we can wait and see how things develop.
I feel so bad for all the students whose programs got cut short.
Thinking about it it, it makes sense to “self” quarantine but what does that really mean? Just stay home? Then your whole family needs to quarantine with you I guess… Oh no… Being locked away with your kid for 14 days that knows everything since their in college now.
. Agh ?.. Lol…
From what I’ve read, you’re supposed to separate yourself within the house and ideally use a separate bathroom. This of course assumes everyone has the luxury of not living in a tiny place.
UK is clear that folks returning from Italy’s red zone should self-quarantine. For other parts of Italy, like Florence and Rome, in the case of Notre Dame, they only suggest quarantining if one experiences symptoms.
I’ve seen nothing from CDC or the US government despite looking. The CDC website only mentions China so it seems policy and/or website hasn’t been updated for awhile.
If anyone has more info, or sees anything online. Please post it. I’m looking for answers.
Researchers suspect that:
Coronavirus can remain infectious for up to 9 days on surfaces such as cardboard & plastic, and for up to 2 hours on steel & copper.
My D is asked to host a foreign student from an affected area. Should she agree to it if the student makes the trip?
@Iglooo will this student even be able to travel here? And from where? When is this taking place?
Source would be helpful. I did reference that it was being tested here in the US but nothing conclusive that I’ve seen.
Which infected area? There are areas with cases, there’s infected, and there is INFECTED!!!
.
Planet Amazon respectfully disagrees. 
So what are you all doing in your own lives right now?
I have a medical practice with surgery facility. We have always practiced Osha, CDC etc protocols. We use hospital grade wipes anyway but have been more stringent in the waiting rooms (every treatment room is wiped to our protocols before, between and after every patient. I am reminding my staff to especially do the door knobs! Many studies show transmission prior to this on the door knobs for like surface bacteria etc.
We are spraying every chair with a disinfectant and even in your home if you use good old lysol or the like follow the instructions. Need to leave on and let sit for awhile.
Reminding everyone to wash hands for 25 seconds and guess what? That is really a long time…
We have Purell like everywhere and bought some more for our house. But 3/4 stores were sold completely out.
We have masks for anyone with a cold and if that sick they are being asked to reschedule.
Anyone coming from an infected country is being asked to bring a doctor’s note (I am a subspecialty) and not urgent most days.
Crazy stuff.
I ordered some n95 masks through a supplier and there are restrictions. Both my college kids don’t want then but I will give them some then it’s up to them to wear if every needed. I will send some to family members.
Some good tips but I’m kind of surprised you as, I assume, a medical professional are going against all advice to save N95 masks for health care professionals.