Harm Reduction Strategies

Published January 26, 2022
See all editions of Covid in Focus here.

Chances are your campus community is tired of hearing about COVID-19. Almost two years into the pandemic, it’s no surprise that many people are feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. But now is not the time to give up on precautions. With the Omicron variant on the move, it’s very important to protect ourselves and each other.

So how can campus communicators reach students, faculty, and staff at this stage of the pandemic? Our suggestion is to meet people where they are. Start by acknowledging the pandemic fatigue people are feeling. Then, share the practical tips below to help your campus community stay healthy — physically and mentally.

Tips to Share with Students, Faculty, and Staff

Share the following tips to help your students, faculty, and staff stay safe. You can copy and paste the content below into your own communication materials (like emails, campus news articles, and blog posts).

Protect Yourself from COVID-19

We know you’re probably tired of hearing about COVID-19. These days, we’re all feeling the pandemic fatigue — it’s completely normal to be tired and overwhelmed. But with the Omicron variant on the move, it’s still important to protect yourself and others.

The good news is there are steps you can take to avoid getting COVID-19 and spreading it to others:

  • Stay home if you’re feeling sick. And try not to spend time with others who are sick. (Even if it’s not COVID-19, no one wants to catch a cold or the flu!)
  • Wear a mask indoors. High-quality masks like KN95 and N95 work best, but the most important thing is to make sure your mask fits close to your face and covers your mouth and nose. If you take your mask off to eat or drink, put it back on as soon as you’re done.
  • Move social activities outside when possible. COVID-19 doesn’t spread as easily outdoors, so it’s safer to gather outside if you can. [Campus communicators: You may want to take out this tip if you live in a colder area of the country.]
  • Gather online. Yes, everyone’s tired of Zoom and FaceTime. But with COVID-19 cases on the rise, think about moving large group activities online if you can.

Gather Some Sick Day Must-Haves Just in Case

It’s a good idea to keep some must-have items on hand just in case you get COVID-19. Let’s say you test positive and campus health tells you to isolate or stay in your room. What would you need to take care of yourself for a few days? If you can, stock up on those things now so they’ll be ready if you get sick.

Here are a few things you might need:

  • Snacks
  • Tissues
  • A thermometer
  • Medicine to lower your fever (like Tylenol) and any medicines that you take every day
  • Drinks that help with hydration, like Gatorade or Pedialyte
  • Chargers for your phone and any other electronics that you use every day
  • Comfortable clothes or pajamas

It’s also helpful to keep a few COVID-19 tests on hand if possible. [Campus communicators: If your campus offers free tests, add that information here.] You can order free at-home tests at covidtests.gov.

Know What to Do If You Get COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, you’ll need to get in touch with a few people:

  • Call the campus health center. The health center will let you know if you need to isolate or move to a different room. If you have a disability or health condition and see a doctor off campus, you may want to call your doctor, too. [Campus communicators: Please update this bullet as needed for your campus.]
  • Email your professors. Let them know you’ll need to miss a few days of class or attend class virtually. Then make a plan to catch up on your assignments.
  • Tell anyone you’ve spent time with in the past few days. That way, they can get a COVID-19 test as soon as possible.

Even if you don’t feel very sick, spending time in isolation can be stressful. Try these tips to help you relax:

  • Reach out to family and friends. Keep your loved ones posted on how you’re doing.
  • Move your body. Even if you’re in a small room, stretching or doing yoga can help you feel better.
  • Get some sun. Natural light can boost your mood — so if you have a window, open the blinds to let some sunlight in.

Social Media Content to Share with Students, Faculty, and Staff

You can post this content on your campus social media accounts to help students, faculty, and staff stay healthy.

Facebook and Instagram Post

These days, we’re all feeling the pandemic fatigue — it’s completely normal to be exhausted and overwhelmed. But with Omicron on the move, it’s very important to protect ourselves. Try these tips to stay healthy:
[checkmark emoji] Stay home if you’re feeling sick — and try not to spend time with others who are sick
[checkmark emoji] Wear a mask indoors
[checkmark emoji] Gather outside or online when you can

Twitter Post

We’re all tired of #COVID19. But with #Omicron on the move, it’s important to protect yourself and others:
[checkmark emoji] Stay home if you’re feeling sick — and try not to spend time with others who are sick
[checkmark emoji] Wear a mask indoors
[checkmark emoji] Gather outside or online when you can

Images for Sharing

Download and share these images on your social media channels or website: