Coronavirus

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, and more severe illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).  Coronaviruses commonly circulate in animals and sometimes infect humans. The coronavirus under investigation, 2019-Coronavirus, is believed to have originated from animals. While the mode of transmission remains unclear, person-to person transmission is occurring.

What Is COVID-19?

• COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered strain of coronavirus. The outbreak originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
• The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have shortness of breath, aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or diarrhea. About 80% of those infected recover without needing special treatment.
• Around 1 in 6 patients with COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. About 2% of those infected have died.
• People with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How is COVID-19 transmitted?

In areas where the COVID-19 virus is spreading, it is transmitted through:

• Respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes;
• Close personal contact, such as caring for an infected person; and
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

How long after exposure does it take for symptoms to appear?

Most experts agree that the incubation period for COVID-19 appears to be 2-14 days. It may also be possible for infected persons to spread COVID-19 before they have symptoms of the disease. For this reason, social distancing (see below) has been recommended for persons returning from travel in affected areas and routine precautions are recommended for the entire community. 

How can I minimize the risk of contracting the virus?

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Get a flu shot.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• If you feel sick, cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze (with your bent elbow, or with a tissue that is immediately thrown in the trash).
• Cook meat and eggs thoroughly.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• If you feel unwell or become sick with similar symptoms to COVID-19, seek medical treatment immediately. Call in advance of visiting your health care provider, and follow their instructions.
• Read about COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment.
• Consider an elbow bump or footshake instead of a handshake when greeting colleagues and friends.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is the practice of avoiding congregated settings and limiting public activities. To the extent possible, persons recommended to practice social distancing should remain home or in a comparable setting. Social distancing is recommended for the duration of the known incubation period (14 days for COVID-19).

How is social distancing different from isolation or quarantine?

Social distancing is a self-regulated recommended practice for those with higher risks for developing COVID-19. Quarantine is the mandated separation of persons with known exposure to the disease ( i.e., a close contact or immediate family member). Isolation is the process of keeping those with the confirmed disease away from the healthy population.

What procedures does KGI have in place to manage outbreaks like COVID-19?

KGI and The Claremont Colleges have no confirmed cases of COVID-19. Administrators and health professionals are closely monitoring all developments related to COVID-19, and will continue to update the KGI community as the situation evolves. KGI is in close communication with local and state authorities, and is following all guidelines outlined by the CDC and the LA County Department of Public Health. In the unlikely event of an outbreak on campus, KGI is prepared to respond in a holistic manner. The campus community would be notified, and the established plans and protocols would be mobilized.

I have upcoming travel plans. What precautions should I take?

It is strongly recommended that you stay informed on the current status of COVID-19 within your upcoming destination. If your destination has confirmed outbreaks of COVID-19, you should closely follow all travel advisories issued by the CDC, including potentially postponing or canceling travel. KGI discourages students from traveling internationally or to currently impacted regions.

View the full list of CDC travel alerts

Should I wear a mask?

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illness, including COVID-19. A facemask should be worn only by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. The use of facemasks is also crucial for healthcare professionals and those taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close proximity.

I recently returned from travel to affected areas. What precautions should I take?

Monitor your health for 14 days following your return from affected areas. During that time, you should stay home and limit interactions with others as much as possible. If you start to feel unwell (even just a headache), call your healthcare provider ASAP and notify them of your recent travel to the affected area.

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19? Does the flu shot help prevent COVID-19?

A preventative shot is not available at this time, although numerous labs are working on developing a vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine does not prevent COVID-19, however, the CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months of age get the flu vaccine. The common flu is currently very widespread, and if you don’t get sick, you won’t need to worry about the symptoms aligning with those of COVID-19.

Can I get COVID-19 from a package delivered from China?

It’s a legitimate question. But U.S. health officials state that there is no evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19 through imported goods.

I have other questions related to COVID-19. Who should I contact?

Please see the FAQ item “Campus Contacts & Resources” below.

I need help setting up devices and other technology for KGI’s online courses. Who can I contact? 

We encourage you to email the KGI IT team at helpdesk@kgi.edu.  

What will happen to KGI on-campus events during the Spring semester? 

All KGI on-campus events (and scheduled at any of the 7C’s) from March 16 through April 3 are canceled or postponed. We will provide updates through email and to this kgi.edu/coronavirus page if anything changes. 

What is the status of commencement? 

The 2020 Commencement ceremonies will be temporarily postponed until large gatherings are deemed safe. Commencement will be rescheduled with no less than three months notice to graduates and their families to allow an appropriate length of time to facilitate any necessary travel.

I am a student worker at KGI. What should I do? 

Please contact your supervisor for further instructions on how to conduct your job.  

Will student support needs and resources still be available while we are taking online courses? 

Yes, online support resources will continue to be available. A resource sheet will be emailed to all students.  Please email student_affairs@kgi.edu with any questions.  

Who can I contact if I have questions regarding Disability Services?  

Please contact Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Disability Coordinator Andrea Mozqueda by email at amozqueda@kgi.edu.   

What if I need to make changes to my class schedule?

Please use the add/drop course form located here.

Will KGI still have access to the gym in the Pitzer College’s Gold Student Center?

No, Pitzer College is suspending access to its gym in the Gold Student Center to non-Pitzer affiliated students, faculty, and staff for the rest of the semester.

I’m feeling sick. What should I do?

Students who are experiencing symptoms should call Student Health Service at 909-621-8222. After hours or weekends, call Campus Safety at (909) 607-2000. 

I’m an international student and concerned about travel.

The U.S. government has taken unprecedented steps with respect to travel in response to the growing public health threat posed by COVID-19:

• The CDC has issued travel guidance related to COVID-19. For the most up-to-date travel restrictions and guidelines, please visit the CDC Information for Travel page.
• Effective February 2, at 5 p.m., the U.S. government suspended entry of foreign nationals who have been in China within the past 14 days.
• U.S. citizens, residents, and their immediate family members who have been in Hubei province and other parts of mainland China are allowed to enter the U.S., but they are subject to health monitoring and possible quarantine for up to 14 days.

The Office for International Students & Scholars (OISS) is here to support international students at KGI with any questions, concerns or needs. Please contact Catharyne Magro at Catharyne_Magro@kgi.edu or 909-607-7176 and let us know how we may support you.

Will students continue receiving financial aid? 

Students may continue to receive financial aid during periods of enrollment.  The Department of Education has provided flexibility in which an institution can provide an online educational platform to prevent the disruption of the spring semester due to COVID-19.  The Financial Aid Staff is closely monitoring the updates from the Department of Education and how it relates to financial aid.

Will tuition be reduced since classes are online? 

The Department of Education has provided flexibility in which an institution that only offers ground-based classes provide an online educational platform on a temporary basis to prevent the disruption of the spring semester due to COVID-19.  While this remains in place, there will be no proration of tuition as it is expected students are given the same access to complete the spring semester accordingly.  

I have questions that are not covered in this FAQ or in KGI’s email communication. Who can I contact?  

Please email healthupdate@kgi.edu.  

I need help setting up devices and other technology for KGI’s telecommuting and/or conducting online courses. Who can I contact? 

We encourage you to email the KGI IT team at helpdesk@kgi.edu for any device or technology questions. If you are a faculty member who needs help with Zoom or other questions related to online teaching, you can also contact George Bradford at George_Bradford@kgi.edu.  

What will happen to KGI on-campus events during the Spring semester? 

All KGI on-campus events from March 16 through April 3 are canceled or postponed. We will provide updates through email and to this kgi.edu/coronavirus page if anything changes. 

What is the status of commencement? 

As of now, there is no change to the KGI commencement ceremonies (May 14 through May 16, 2020). We will provide updates through email and to this kgi.edu/coronavirus page if anything changes. 

Is telecommuting optional or required? 

For employees critical to KGI’s current campus operation (facilities, some IT staff, some lab staff), please contact your supervisor for further instructions. 

For roles that are not operationally critical, telecommuting is encouraged but not required. If you choose to work on campus for some or all of your working hours, please communicate with your supervisor regarding your intention to do so.  

I’m feeling sick. What should I do? 

Faculty and staff who are experiencing symptoms or have had close contact with an individual recently returned from an affected area, should self-isolate and call their healthcare provider immediately. Call your doctor for further instructions before visiting their office. 

I have questions that are not covered in this FAQ or in KGI’s email communication. Who can I contact?  

Please email healthupdate@kgi.edu.  

What resources are available to staff and faculty? 

KGI staff and faculty can contact Human Resources for questions and support: 909-607-0821 or hr@kgi.edu.  

Are events at KGI being canceled? 

At this time, KGI and The Claremont Colleges have no confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, in abundance of caution, all KGI on-campus events from March 16 through April 3 are canceled or postponed. We will provide updates to this kgi.edu/coronavirus page if anything changes. 

Campus Safety
909-607-2000
dispatch@claremont.edu

Student Health Services
909-621-8222
SHSrecords@claremont.edu

KGI Student Affairs
909-607-7150
student_affairs@kgi.edu

KGI International Student Advising
909-607-7176
Catharyne_Magro@kgi.edu

KGI Human Resources
909-607-0821
hr@kgi.edu 

KGI Registrar
registrar@kgi.edu

Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services
909-621-8202

• Sheldon Schuster, KGI President
• Kelly Esperias, Vice President of Institutional Development
• Michael Jones, Vice President of Finance and Operations
• Steve Casper, Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences Dean
• Martin Zdanowicz, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Dean
• Larry Grill, Dean of Research
• Cynthia Martinez, Dean of Student Affairs
• Sofia Toro, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
• Cheryl Merritt, AVP of Human Resources
• Ivan Alber, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
• Mark Bennett, Director of Facilities Management
• George Bradford, Director of Instructional Design
• Brittany Raygoza, Title IX and Clery Coordinator
• Patricia Robidoux, Executive Assistant and Secretary to the Board