Seventeen new positive cases of COVID-19

There are 17 new cases of COVID-19 to report: 10 River Campus students, three River Campus employees, one Eastman Campus student, two Medical Campus students, and one Medical Campus employee. Please note that the University’s COVID-19 Dashboard is updated when a new case is reported. Find the latest COVID-19 messages and updates here.

A reminder on face masks: they must be worn properly, covering the nose and mouth, indoors on the University’s campuses and properties. Visit the face mask FAQ page for full information. Face masks with air valves are not permitted, nor are face shields alone without a proper face mask underneath.

Free COVID-19 Testing: Rapid COVID-19 antigen testing is available at no charge to asymptomatic students, faculty, and staff by appointment in Rettner Hall on River Campus.

Two Rochester students named Schwarzman Scholars

From left: Haosong Zheng ’21, a master’s degree candidate in business analytics at the Simon Business School, and Lea Thome ’22, an international relations major and Chinese minor in the College, are among 151 students and young leaders worldwide who have been chosen as 2022–23 Schwarzman Scholars.

Additional options added for free COVID testing for asymptomatic students, faculty, and staff

Rapid COVID antigen testing is now available at no charge—by appointment and walk-in—at the River Campus testing site in Rettner Hall for faculty, staff, and students who would like to be tested. This option is only available to individuals who don’t have symptoms; students with symptoms need to report them through Dr. Chat Bot to be tested, and employees should contact their primary doctor.

Additional appointments times are now available. Individuals can also walk in during these times, although making an appointment is still preferred:

• Mondays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wednesdays between noon and 4 p.m.
• Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• Saturdays between 8 a.m. and noon.

Note that Wednesday appointments will only be available on December 8 and 15 to accommodate additional testing interest as the fall semester winds down.

Testing is in the atrium at Rettner Hall, located near Wilson Commons. Employees and students should bring their University ID and must wear a mask at the testing location. While individuals will be informed of the test result, at this time a printed or electronic testing result confirmation will not be available. If a student’s rapid antigen test is positive, they will be offered a follow-up PCR test to confirm the result.

Individuals interested in being tested can sign up for an appointment here.

Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk differ between vaccinated and infected mothers

The Scientist, December 6

“With vaccination, it’s a uniform dose; the route is exactly the same in every individual, and it very universally induces pretty much the same response,” says Kirsi Jarvinen-Seppo, the Founders’ Distinguished Professorship of Pediatric Allergy and an associate professor of pediatrics, of medicine, and of microbiology and immunology. “But with infection, you might be infected through oral exposure or through other mucosal surfaces. The amount of viral replication and your immune response will probably differ very much between individuals.” Together with Bridget Young, an assistant professor of pediatrics and of public health sciences, Jarvinen-Seppo recruited lactating women with COVID-19 to participate in a study early on in the pandemic.

Remembering the attacks on Pearl Harbor

Today makes the 80th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Read about how the lives of Rochester faculty and students were immediately changed after the bombing.

Planning to announce special holiday hours for your office?

@Rochester will include a listing of holiday hours for offices and services around the University in the Thursday, December 16, issue. Send the details to at-rochester@rochester.edu by noon on Tuesday, December 14, to be included.

‘Lunch and Listen’ program for Medical Center staff and clinical workers features Justice Freeman jazz trio

The next “Lunch and Listen” concert from Eastman Performing Arts Medicine and the Office of Patient Experience takes place today, December 7, from noon to 1 p.m. EST. Medical Center staff and clinical workers can join via Zoom and call in to make requests. This week’s concert features the Justice Freeman jazz trio.

Submit a proposal for the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium

Initial concept proposals are being accepted for the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium. Each proposal will be reviewed by the consortium’s executive management team and expert working group liaisons. Find more information about the submission process and criteria. Email proposals to Goonwattie Surajpal by March 31.

Your key to weight loss success

Research says that the amount of time it takes to create a healthy habit ranges between 18 and 254 days with an average of 66 days. Well-U’s Weight Loss program with the lifestyle management team has got you covered. Sessions are starting soon. Enroll now and get the accountability and tips you need to get make new habits rock solid.

Holiday break is coming, Care.com can help

Use your free premium Care.com membership to help this holiday season. Memberships are available to eligible employees to find help with childcare, elder care, and household tasks, and other needs. Visit the family care web page for eligibility criteria and to enroll.

Seasonal masses, celebrations with the Catholic Newman Community

The Catholic Newman Community will host for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Holy Day of Obligation mass, today at 5:30 p.m. in the Interfaith Chapel, River Campus. Newman is also hosting a Christmas concert that will be streamed live on Monday, December 20, at 7 p.m. EST. You can also attend Christmas Eve mass on Friday, December 24, at 6:30 p.m. EST in person at the Interfaith Chapel or virtually. No registration is required and plenty of parking is available.

Scholars at Risk symposium

Join Scholars at Risk on Thursday, December 9, for “Free to Think 2021,” a virtual symposium marking the release of the “Free to Think 2021” report tracing attacks on higher education communities around the world. The event is free and open to the public, with preregistration required. An optional virtual networking session will follow the event. The University is a dedicated member of Scholars at Risk, which works to protect threatened scholars and promote academic freedom around the world.

• Dr. Chat Bot: Non–Medical Center faculty, staff, and all students | Medical Center employees
• COVID-19 Resource Center | Medical Center’s COVID-19 update page
• Current campus face mask policies
• Faculty and staff vaccine participation form (VPN or on-campus network connection required)
• FAQ on COVID-19 vaccination
• What to do if you or your close contacts have symptoms or have been exposed