What preparations has Penn State undertaken during these times of
uncertainty?
Safety and emergency preparedness are high priorities. Residence halls,
classrooms, student centers, major public events, offices and the University
Park airport are key priorities year-around.
Stephen
Abrams is the Emergency Management Coordinator for Penn State University
Park Campus and the Centre Region Council of Governments. He jointly oversees
efforts of University offices and local government to plan for, respond
to, recover from and mitigate local crises.
What actions does the University undertake when the color-coded Homeland
Security Threat Level change?
Threat levels are declared by Federal, State or local authorities and
would include more than Penn State. University members are expected to
follow the instructions issued by authorities. Should this occur, best
advice is to monitor local radio or television and check the University
Park Emergency
Management page for information
If I am out and about on campus and do not have any ready access to
information, how will I know if there is an emergency?
A variety of methods to communicate with the campus community exist.
These include the ability to deploy University Police vehicles equipped
with sirens and public address systems that can broadcast instructions
and pre-positioned Emergency
Phones located campus-wide
for two-communication.
Other means include the University Emergency Management web page, mass
e-mail, making use of the Emergency
Alert System, National
Weather Service Weather Alert Radio System and posting messages throughout
the campus to include directory cases, dining halls, libraries and the
HUB-Robeson Center
If I am out and about and hear there is an emergency, should I return
to my office or residence, or someplace else or stay in place?
Unless an emergency is in the immediate vicinity (in which case - follow
the instructions of safety officials or evacuate the area), the best approach
would be to seek information/instructions from the nearest source - generally
the nearest University building or pre-positioned emergency phone.
If an emergency is announced, how do I decide whether to evacuate
or stay in place?
Making a decision whether to evacuate
or shelter
in place depends entirely on the emergency at hand. It is important
for everyone to be prepared in advance by reviewing the emergency
planning information on the University Emergency Management web site.
The Emergency Management Related
Links web page lists additional links to other agencies, such as the
American Red Cross and FEMA.
Fire
or other building emergencies are more likely than terrorism. In the event
of fire, unless you are advised otherwise, you should evacuate the building
and await instructions from safety officials or local first responders.
How can I prepare?
Review the Emergency Management web site and develop a (an) Individual
and Family Preparedness Plan (disasters can occur anywhere and anytime),
ensure your family, loved ones and friends know your intentions and current
telephone number(s) should disaster strike and check for latest information
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Prepared
by Penn State University Health Services
What is SARS, and what are its symptoms?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a respiratory illness that
has recently been reported in Asia, North America, and Europe. The illness
usually begins with a fever (measured temperature greater than 100.4°F
or 38.0°C). The fever is sometimes associated with chills or other
symptoms, including headache, a general feeling of discomfort, and body
aches. Some people also experience mild respiratory symptoms at the outset.
After two to seven days, SARS patients may develop a dry, nonproductive
cough that might be accompanied by or progress to the point where insufficient
oxygen is getting to the blood. For more on the disease, please refer
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s SARS Web site
at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
or the World Health Organization’s SARS Web site at http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/.
Both Web sites are updated daily.
How is SARS spread?
Public health experts think that SARS is spread by close contact between
people. SARS is most likely spread when someone sick with the disease
coughs droplets into the air and someone else breathes them in. It is
possible that SARS also can spread more broadly through the air or from
touching objects that have become contaminated. For more on the disease,
please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s
SARS Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
or the World Health Organization’s SARS Web site at http://www.who.int/csr/sars/en/.
Both Web sites are updated daily.
What can I do to minimize my own risk of contracting SARS?
Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to keep their immune systems
strong with regular exercise, vitamin-rich foods, sufficient sleep and
plenty of fluids. Moreover, they should wash hands frequently, and avoid
sharing eating utensils, water bottles, towels or bedding without first
washing these items with soap and hot water. As is routine, clean surfaces
soiled with body fluids with a household disinfectant. Use gloves while
cleaning.
How is Penn State preparing to deal with SARS should a case be identified
on campus?
If someone in the Penn State community becomes ill with SARS, University
Health Services Staff will work closely with the Pennsylvania Department
of Health, the CDC and infectious disease specialists to determine what
preventive measures may need to be taken to protect the health of the
community. People who have had close contact with someone who has the
disease will need to be evaluated and there may be situations in which
limited quarantine is the appropriate response.
What should I do if I have a roommate who is returning from study
in SARS prevalent areas?
If your roommate is feeling well and does not have symptoms of high fever,
cough, shortness of breath, they are unlikely to be contagious. If you
have concerns, it is best to talk with your roommate and as needed with
residence life staff.
What should I do if someone with whom I work has recently been in
Asia and just returned to Penn State?
As with the previous question, if your co-worker has not been having any
symptoms and is feeling well, the likelihood that persons actually has
SARS and is contagious is low. If you are very concerned and worried,
please talk with your co-worker, and your human resource representative
or your supervisor.
I am a Penn State student, staff or faculty member and already have
plans to travel to China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand or Singapore. What
should I do?
We would recommend that you read the latest information on the CDC Web
site and seriously reconsider or reevaluate your plans. There is some
risk involved in travel to these areas at this point in time and you may
want to delay your trip. Many airlines are liberalizing their cancellation
and refund policies because of SARS. If you do travel to these areas,
read carefully the CDC and U.S Department of State advisories about travel
to the specific area to which you are going and follow its recommendations.
If traveling on University business or on a study abroad program, consult
with the department or organization who is sponsoring or coordinating
your trip to see if they have made any programming or travel changes,
suspensions or cancellations.