Message from Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D. – COVID-19 Update

Dear TTU System Administration team,

As we return from the Labor Day holiday, I hope everyone had an enjoyable and relaxing weekend and you and your families are staying healthy and safe as we continue to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the past year and a half, I have watched you overcome each obstacle the pandemic has brought. You’ve done this as a community, putting people first and providing exemplary service despite these challenges. The respect you’ve shown one another and the integrity you’ve displayed during these unprecedented times sets the bar high for those at our institutions who continue to provide unrivaled educational experiences for our students.

With confirmed positive cases continuing to rise in our communities and our health care providers stretched thin, I encourage you to take the steps below to protect yourself and those around you. By taking care of ourselves, we can keep everyone in our communities healthy and safe.

Facial Coverings and Masks

Facial coverings and masks continue to be optional in the TTU System Building and our other work locations. However, with the recent rise in case counts and what we’ve seen with virus variants, I strongly encourage you to wear masks when social distancing is not possible.

Vaccinations

Last month, we heard from our trusted experts from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso during the virtual town hall, “This Is Your Shot: Vaccine Facts & Science.” They provided facts and information and answered questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.

• •  If you have any questions about the vaccines, I encourage you to watch a recording of the town hall here:
•    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWkp28evytE.

The COVID-19 Delta variant is highly contagious and may cause more severe illness in people who are unvaccinated. I strongly recommend employees who are eligible and able to receive a vaccination, as these vaccines will help protect you and others and will reduce the chance of severe complications if you are infected with COVID-19.

• •  Visit here for a list of vaccine clinic locations.

Personal Health

One of the simplest ways to avoid the spread of germs is by maintaining good hand hygiene by washing our hands and using hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the building.

We also ask employees to continue to monitor their personal health. If an employee becomes ill or has been potentially exposed to COVID-19, they should notify their supervisor, follow testing and isolation protocols and utilize our COVID-19 resources.

• •  More information about testing, reporting a positive case, isolation and quarantine procedures and additional COVID-19 resources can be found here.

It is always an exciting time at the beginning of a new academic year, and I know I join everyone in noticing an increase in energy with our students back on campus.Thank you for all you do for our system and for continuing to do everything you can to protect yourself and others.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or our staff in the Chancellor’s Office at (806) 742-0012.

 

Warmest regards,

Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D.

Chancellor