Updated: July 12, 2022
I hope this finds you well and enjoying the summer months!
I’m writing this note to bring your attention once more to health and safety planning on campus. We continue to closely monitor the evolving situation surrounding the pandemic and COVID-19.
In regard to persistent transmissions across the country and in the state, but also the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent severe illness, the National Center for Disease Control and the Maine CDC continuously update their recommendations for masking, contact, isolation and other safety protocols.
While all of us on campus are indeed vaccinated and following safety guidelines, we must remain disciplined in terms of maintaining a safe and healthy campus. Maine Media is taking a few additional steps to ensure safety in our buildings and the community. With this in mind, Maine Media strongly encourages that face masks be worn whenever working inside campus facilities, including classrooms, the sound stage, studios and other indoor common spaces. For those working in the photography and book arts labs, an N95 or comparable mask is required. We ask that you continue to practice safe social distancing, and use hand sanitizer that can be found inside facilities. If you are in need of a mask, they are available at the desk in the HAAS building or in the Thorne Dining Pavilion.
Maine Media continues to require full vaccinations for all participants attending in-person activities on campus, including courses, programs, and events. This requirement is strictly enforced and applies to students, staff, instructors or other attendees to Maine Media’s programming and presentations. If you are unable to obtain a vaccination for any reason but still wish to participate in Maine Media’s programs, we encourage you to explore our remote and online programs
These remain uncertain days, but I recognize that we have only gotten this far together. I am confident that we will find ourselves on the other side and in a more brilliant place in the months ahead. The staff and I are determined to maintain a safe and supportive environment for everyone to create new work together. As the situation evolves, we will continue to review and update our health and safety practices on campus.
Sincerely,
Michael, Mansfield, President
COVID-19 Campus Safety Guide
Information here will be updated regularly to reflect the most recent guidelines provided by the Maine CDC.
CDC QUARANTINE & ISOLATION CALCULATOR
CDC CORONAVIRUS SELF-CHECKER
TRAVELING TO MAINE
PROOF OF VACCINATION (required)
GROUP SIZE INFORMATION
FACE COVERINGS
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
HAND HYGIENE
COMMUNICATION
CONTACT TRACING
IN CASE OF EXPOSURE, ILLNESS & TESTING
CLEANING & DISINFECTING
RESOURCES
PAST UPDATES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Maine Media Workshops + College COVID-19 Risk Statement
Maine Media Workshops + College consistently seeks to take steps to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infections (or any other spread of disease) in accordance with applicable law, regulation, and guidance provided by health authorities. These efforts may include policies and safeguards implemented by Maine Media such as symptom checks, social distancing, use of facial coverings, and isolating and quarantining when required. Despite these efforts, Maine Media cannot categorically guarantee that any person entering Maine Media campus or facilities will not contract COVID-19 or any other communicable disease and any such person must assess and accept the risks of illness or injury for themselves.
CDC Quarantine & Isolation Calculator
The Quarantine & Isolation Calculator is a tool to help determine how long you need to isolate, quarantine, or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19:
The Coronavirus Self-Checker is an interactive clinical assessment tool that will assist individuals ages 13 and older, and parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 12 on deciding when to seek testing or medical care if they suspect they or someone they know has contracted COVID-19 or has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
The online mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions covering topics such as isolation and quarantine, vaccination status, symptoms, test results, exposure, underlying medical conditions, etc. Based on the user’s responses, the tool then provides information about interpreting test results and when to quarantine and isolate, as well as recommended actions and resources.
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CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker
For up to date information on when to be tested please use the CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker tool.
The Coronavirus Self-Checker interactive clinical assessment tool that will assist individuals on deciding when to seek testing or medical care if they suspect they or someone they know has contracted COVID-19 or has come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
The online mobile-friendly tool asks a series of questions covering topics such as isolation and quarantine, vaccination status, symptoms, test results, exposure, underlying medical conditions, etc. Based on the user’s responses, the tool then provides information about interpreting test results and when to quarantine and isolate, as well as recommended actions and resources.
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Traveling to Maine
Beginning May 1, 2021, travelers from all states will be able to travel to Maine without providing a negative COVID-19 test result or quarantining, unless otherwise determined by the Maine CDC.
As circumstances dictate, the Maine CDC may revise and implement new testing and quarantine protocols at any time. Maine Media will adhere to guidelines set forth by state authorities.
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Proof of Vaccination
Maine Media requires that all participants in on campus activities must be fully vaccinated* and will be required to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
*People are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the final dose of vaccination.
If you are unable or unwilling to be vaccinated, we encourage you to explore our remote and online options.
Vaccine Card
The vaccination card was given to you after your first shot and then updated if your vaccine requires a second one. The card will include the vaccine manufacturer, the dose numbers and the date and location each was administered. Your vaccination card should show immunization using ONE of the following:
Moderna (2 doses) OR
Pfizer (2 doses) OR
Johnson & Johnson / Janssen (1 dose)
Final dose of vaccine must be at least 14 days prior to arrival on campus
How do I submit my card?
Maine Media will accept a JPG or PDF document ONLY. Securely submit a copy of vaccination card to:
STUDENTS – email to [email protected]
ALL OTHERS (staff, instructors, and others) – email to [email protected]
What happens if I lost my card?
Getting a new card is easy enough if you got vaccinated at a pharmacy like Walgreens. Return to where you were vaccinated, and a pharmacy employee can print out a new card from the patient’s electronic records.
Vaccinations are also tracked by state health departments, so you can reach out to your state’s agency to get a replacement card, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency lists contact information for the Immunization Information System in each state, which tracks vaccinations, on its website.
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Group Size Information
ON CAMPUS
Maine Media Workshops + College asks that you practice safe social distancing
As circumstances dictate, the Maine CDC may make adjustments to Group Size requirements. Maine Media will adhere to guidelines set forth by state authorities.
OFF CAMPUS
Effective May 24, 2021, Maine has lifted capacity limits and physical distancing requirements for public indoor and outdoor gatherings.
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Face Coverings
ON CAMPUS
Everyone is encouraged to always wear their lanyard while on campus property since it signifies that you have been vaccinated against COVID. This is one way we may continue to keep the campus safe, since all of us are fully vaccinated.
Masking is strongly encouraged for everyone when working indoors. For those working in the photo and book arts labs, an N95 or comparable is required.
We continually monitor both the Maine and Federal CDC and follow their guidelines. As the pandemic continues to evolve and wind down, we will be making adjustments based upon their recommendations and local transmission rates.
If you need a mask, KN95 masks are available at the desk in the HAAS building.
OFF CAMPUS
Effective May 24, 2021, Maine will no longer require fully vaccinated people to wear face masks.
Businesses may set their own mask guidelines and can determine if they will require proof of vaccination.
When circumstances are unknown or uncertain, wearing a face covering and having a cloth face covering available in case needed will allow individuals best to meet these directives and recommendations.
Face masks are generally made of multiple layers of cloth, which cover the nose, mouth and chin and are secured either with ear loops or with ties behind the head.
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Physical Distancing
ON CAMPUS
Maine Media Workshops + College will adopt the State of Maine and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (U.S. CDC) guidance and ask that you practice safe social distancing, and use hand sanitizer that can be found inside facilities.
As circumstances dictate, the Maine CDC may make adjustments to physical distancing requirements. Maine Media will adhere to guidelines set forth by state authorities
OFF CAMPUS
Effective May 24, 2021, Maine has lifted capacity limits and physical distancing requirements for public indoor and outdoor gatherings.
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Hand Hygiene
Good hand hygiene prevents spread of disease. The best hand hygiene is frequent handwashing. Wash hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) especially between contact with individuals.
Hand washing may be done in Maine Media’s campus bathrooms located in the NIC building, Haas Building, and the Focus Building.
Hand sanitizer stations are located at the entrance to each building on campus.
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Communication
All students, faculty and staff please update contact information regarding emergency notifications with Student Services. This will allow Maine Media to best communicate with you.
Email: The President may send email updates at key junctures to keep the community advised.
Web site/s: Maine Media is posting regular updates and information to a one-stop source web site for Covid-19 information: www.mainemedia.edu/covid19. The web site also connects to more information from the Maine and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
If you have a question not answered by any of this guidance you may contact Student Services at 207.236.8581.
Emergencies: A warning will be issued through MMW+C’s email and may also be issued through text messages and/or cell phone calls. The emergency warning will be distributed to all MMW+C’s students, staff, instructors, and other attendees who are present on campus. The emergency notification will include instructions for appropriate action. To view complete policy – Emergency Notification Policy
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Contact Tracing
Contact tracing is a fundamental public health activity that involves working with an individual who has been diagnosed with an infectious disease to identify and provide support to people who may have been infected through exposure to the infected person. To facilitate contact tracing by the Maine CDC, Maine Media may maintain a record of information about students, staff, instructors and other attendees, the date they were at Maine Media, and the possible individuals who had direct, prolonged interaction with them.
Based on current scientific knowledge, a close contact is someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more starting from 48 hours before illness onset until the time the patient is isolated. An individual is also considered a close contact if they provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19, had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them), shared eating or drinking utensils, or if the person sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on them.
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In Case of Exposure, Illness & Testing
What do I do if I feel I may be sick with COVID-19?
– If sick please quarantine in your room or home and notify Kerry Curren, Registrar as soon as possible at 207.236.2705 or by email at [email protected]. For results, you may request a rapid test from Maine Media.
– Individuals may be asked to be isolated until transferred to home or a healthcare facility.
What are the guidelines for people who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19?
– Use the CDC Quarantine & Isolation Calculator to determine recommendations.
Where can I get tested?
-Individuals may contact Walk-in Care at Pen Bay Medical Center directly to request a COVID-19 test by calling 207-301-6000.
The Walk-In Care is located at 22 White Street Rockland, ME 04841.
Hours: 8 am to 6 pm daily
Walgreens offers no-cost, contactless COVID-19 testing for patients age 3 and up at select locations, in partnership with the PWNHealth provider network. Rockland Walgreens located at 28 Park St, Rockland, ME 04841, offers the COVID-19 test (7 miles south of campus). Walgreens in Camden does NOT offer testing.
Where should I send my COVID-19 test results?
PCR or rapid-Antigen tests will be accepted and should include:
– Result of test, positive or negative.
– The name of the individual being tested.
All test results should be submitted to [email protected] All records will be kept confidential.
Must I get tested after a close contact with someone who has COVID-19 if I am fully vaccinated?
– No, but please follow the recommendations of the CDC Quarantine & Isolation Calculator.
When may I return to class or work after testing positive for COVID-19?
The ill individual(s) may return based on the CDC Quarantine & Isolation Calculator.
If an individual needs urgent medical attention (e.g., if the individual is having difficulty breathing), Maine Media will call 911.
Maine Media may need to work with public health officials to determine who may have had close contact with the individual with COVID-19 and who may need to take additional precautions, including exclusion from campus and remaining at home.
If an individual informs Maine Media that they tested positive for COVID-19, Maine Media may call the Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821.
Ending isolation for people who had COVID-19 and had symptoms
If you had COVID-19 and had symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days. To calculate your 5-day isolation period, day 0 is your first day of symptoms. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed. You can leave isolation after 5 full days.
You can end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation).
You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10) after the end of your 5-day isolation period. If you are unable to wear a mask when around others, you should continue to isolate for a full 10 days. Avoid people who have weakened immune systems or are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days.
If you continue to have fever or your other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask through day 10. Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions.
Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants and some gyms, and avoid eating around others at home and at work until a full 10 days after your first day of symptoms.
If an individual has access to a test and wants to test, the best approach is to use an antigen test towards the end of the 5-day isolation period. Collect the test sample only if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation). If your test result is positive, you should continue to isolate until day 10. If your test result is negative, you can end isolation, but continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until day 10. Follow additional recommendations for masking and avoiding travel as described above.
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Cleaning and Disinfecting
The virus that causes COVID-19 can land on surfaces. It is possible for people to become infected if they touch those surfaces and then touch their nose, mouth, or eyes. In most situations, the risk of infection from touching a surface is low. The most reliable way to prevent infection from surfaces is to regularly wash hands or use hand sanitizer.
Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces can also reduce the risk of infection.
When no people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are known to have been in a space, Maine Media will clean once a day to remove virus that may be on surfaces and help maintain a healthy campus.
Maine Media will clean more frequently or disinfect (in addition to cleaning) in shared spaces if certain conditions apply that can increase the risk of infection from touching surfaces:
- High transmission of COVID-19 in your community,
If there has been a sick person or someone who tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 24 hours, Maine Media will clean AND disinfect the space.
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Resources
State of Maine COVID-19 Response
Maine Center for Disease Control (CDC)
US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Coronavirus Self Checker
Walgreens COVID testing
Maine Media COVID-19
Maine Media General Policies
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