»The more details we have, the more effectively we can act« – An exchange with the City of Weimar
Classes are set to start as best as possible on 2. November 2020, but there are still a few concerns that need to be clarified regarding how to properly proceed with infection prevention measures. The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is in close contact with a number of partners in order to effectively plan the winter semester and make decisions collectively with other institutions. Two of the most important partners are the City of Weimar and the Weimar Health Department.
To address critical questions, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Krisenstab (crisis unit) along with other members of the university and Dr. Ralf Schmidt-Röh, head of Studierendenwerk Thüringen, met on 22. September 2020 for a two-hour exchange with Dr. med. Isabelle Oberbeck, head of the Weimar Health Department, and mayor Ralf Kirsten.
The discussion focussed on issues that affect teaching and everyday life at the university, for instance: How should contact details be collected for tracing infection cases? What are the symptoms of Covid19 and how should university members react if they are experiencing these symptoms? How can students and staff get tested? Who should be in quarantine and for how long?
Isabelle Oberbeck and Ralf Kirsten were able to provide detailed answers to nearly all of the questions based on their pandemic experience from the last six months. Currently, the city expects the pandemic to continue into autumn and winter and believes that we may be facing a second wave. New cases will certainly emerge and, as Isabelle Oberbeck put it, »an on and off situation will develop«. »It would be naive of us to assume that the number of infections will not increase«, says Ralf Kirsten, »but we want to take all necessary steps to prevent having to go into lockdown and having to close down the university«.
To avoid this, the city is relying on the systematic detection of infection clusters, something that is only possible through continuous contact tracing. For the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, this means recording a list of course participants, their contact information (which makes them traceable), and specific details such as a seating plan documenting where each participant sits. By doing this, the Health Department only needs to mandate quarantine for those who have been in the immediate vicinity of an infected individual. Anyone who has had second-degree contact would not have to be quarantined.
»The more details we have, the more effectively we can act and the less likely it will be that we need to shut down in the case of infection«. This is the Health Department's credo. If an individual is infected, anyone who has had contact with them within the previous two days will be crossed checked with the infected individual and then contacted either by phone or in writing. Those who have had contact with an infected individual will be classified as either a first-degree contact or a second-degree contact and this will be the basis for determining who has to go into quarantine.
In the case of obvious symptoms such as fever, cough, loss of taste and smell, or exhaustion, the Health Department recommends that the »lecture or in-person event be cancelled and, when appropriate, that a test be carried out by the primary health care provider or the Health Department (tel. 03643-116117)«.
The virus is especially contagious in the first two days of infection, even before symptoms appear, which is what makes it so dangerous. Please be responsible and pay close attention to potential symptoms and follow these protective measures: Maintain physical distance from others, wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose, and thoroughly wash and disinfect your hands often.
Regarding indoor spaces: Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. By following these measures we hope to get through autumn and winter without having to shut down again.
At the end of their discussion, Isabelle Oberbeck and Ralf Kirsten both emphasised that there is no single solution, but the city – with the help of others involved – hopes to strike a balance in the upcoming cold and flu season. Rational action is the highest priority.
The Bauhaus-Universität Weimar will be introducing further regulations for teaching in the upcoming weeks based on this discussion. Information will be e-mailed to students and instructors in October and will also be published on the university website. During introductory events, students will be informed of the most important rules for infection prevention at the university.