As the University continues to respond to the evolving circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to providing up-to-date information to our community. Below you will find this week’s new and updated answers to frequently asked questions regarding university news, policies and resources.
Please refer to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center for the full list of frequently asked questions and more information about health and safety and University operations.
Vaccines
I have received or am going to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Will I need to continue wearing a mask and participate in the Georgetown COVID-19 testing program?
Yes to both. Studies show very high initial efficacy for the vaccines in preventing COVID-19. However, we are still learning about the extent of protection provided in real-life situations. We do not yet know how long protection against this disease will last, and it is also not clear whether the vaccines will keep you from transmitting infection to others, including your loved ones. For these reasons, it remains critically important for everyone, even those who have received the vaccine, to continue to practice ALL public health measures. These include wearing a mask, keeping a distance of at least six feet from others, washing hands regularly, avoiding social gatherings, participating in the testing protocols, and following isolation and quarantine recommendations.
Further, at this time, the District of Columbia has not updated its standing orders requiring masks to exempt those who may have received the vaccine and, accordingly, we will continue to enforce this requirement.
How is Georgetown preparing for the vaccine?
We continue to coordinate closely with DC Health and our partners at MedStar Health, including MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, on vaccine planning. We have also established a COVID-19 vaccine working group that includes faculty members and representatives from across the University to consider the many issues related to the vaccine, including issues of equity and impact on our community.
When will the vaccine(s) become available for the Georgetown community?
Georgetown University does not have its own supply or allotment of vaccines, which will be administered through providers authorized by the DC Department of Health. The vaccines are being distributed based on prioritization guidelines from CDC and the DC Department of Health. More information about vaccine prioritization can be found on the CDC website. More information about the DC government’s plan can be found on the DC COVID-19 website.We are working in cooperation with the DC Department of Health and with our partners at MedStar Health to ensure access for those currently eligible, and, as more vaccines become available at a later date, we will advise about plans to make vaccines available for additional priority populations and the wider community.
I already had COVID-19. Will I be eligible to receive the vaccine when it becomes available?
Yes. While those who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 probably have some immunity, it is unclear how long it may last. According to the CDC, “current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. Therefore, people with a recent infection may delay vaccination until the end of that 90-day period if desired.”
Will the vaccine rollout change anything about the Spring 2021 semester?
No protocols or procedures will change for the time being. Everyone in the Georgetown community must continue to practice all public health measures, including wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing, washing hands, avoiding social gatherings, and following all testing and quarantine/isolation protocols.
I’ve had COVID-19. Do I need to wear a mask?
Yes, you should continue to wear a mask. According to the CDC, we still do not know whether having had an infection can protect you from reinfection, or provide immunity. Wearing a mask will help protect you and others from transmitting or acquiring an infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Further, at this time, the District of Columbia has not updated its standing orders requiring face masks to exempt those who may have had COVID-19 and, accordingly, we will continue to enforce this requirement.
Will the vaccines be required for people who have or desire campus access (staff, residential students, faculty, students participating in in-person activities and instruction)?
Not at this time. We will provide additional information on this topic as it becomes available.
Safety Measures
What is the university doing to improve air systems across campus?
Facilities Management is working to minimize the spread of viruses through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, among other measures. An ongoing HVAC assessment and enhancement project has ensured that all classrooms and study spaces meet CDC COVID-19 and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) air standards.
The university employed two engineering firms to work with our operation teams to provide guidance, apply best practices and verify HVAC operations to prepare for occupancy. They also worked with the operation teams to identify existing configurations and find ways to improve the current systems in every building across our Main, Med, Law and SCS campuses.
More than 52 air handling units in several campus buildings where the campus community gathers for dining, recreation, athletics, or research have been retrofitted to incorporate filtration that is efficient at capturing airborne viruses. These upgrades have improved the overall effectiveness of the air filter systems so that smaller dust and airborne contaminants are captured by the filter. The UV-C filtration systems are shown to inactivate viruses, bacteria and fungi.
How were spaces approved for occupancy?
In consultation with the external engineering firms, Georgetown reviewed and identified 126 classrooms that meet HVAC criteria for occupancy. The University has worked with independent contractors to ensure the air is changed a minimum of three times per hour with MERV-13 filtration systems.