Update Regarding COVID-19
The following update on COVID-19 was sent to our community from Interim President Isabel Roche.
For more information, please visit our COVID-19 update page.
Dear Bennington Community,
As you may have seen, it was announced today that Vermont has its first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The adult patient is a resident of Bennington county and is currently hospitalized in an airborne infection room at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.
The welfare of the College community is our top priority and we are monitoring the news closely. We are and will continue to follow the recommendations of the Vermont Department of Health, the CDC, and others.
Currently the Vermont Department of Health has not recommended the closure of any Vermont colleges. Bennington College is working under normal operations and classes are in session. We will continue to monitor and follow any forthcoming guidance from the VT Department of Health.
We can each help slow the spread of this illness (and other illnesses) by being extra careful about personal and communal hygiene. You can reduce the risk of infection and help keep our community healthy by following the guidance below:
- Wash your hands well (at least 20 seconds) and often; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as an alternative.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home and away from public places when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (and throw the tissue out afterwards).
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The College Coronavirus Task Force is coordinating our preparations and response, working on contingency planning and guidance, and accessing and responding to developing information. We will continue to update you regularly via emails and on the College’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.
If you have questions, please submit them here, which will allow us to assign them to the appropriate task force member. We will answer as many as possible in the next community-wide email (unless they are private). You are also, of course, welcome to email Oceana Wilson or Dr. Randy Anselmo.
Thank you for your patience and partnership as we navigate this together.
Best,
Isabel Roche