SGTC creates informational COVID-19 video for students, faculty and staff

Published 7:30 pm Thursday, June 25, 2020

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From Staff Reports

 

AMERICUS – South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) has created a COVID-19 information video to alert faculty, staff, and students to important facts about the virus, how it is spread, its symptoms and preventive measures designed to reduce its spread.

“We realize that there are a lot of questions and uncertainty right now about the Coronavirus and how it affects individuals,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford. “The safety of students, faculty and staff is very important to us. This video highlights practical information about how to respond if you are feeling sick or if you are worried about being exposed. It also gives instructions about what to do to stay healthy and how to help slow the spread.”

SGTC has initiated preventive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with federal, state and local government guidelines. However, the college cannot guarantee that individuals will not become infected with or exposed to COVID-19.

 

South Georgia Technical College Director of Campus Safety Sammy Stone is shown wearing his protective face covering as he goes from one building to another.
Photo by Su Ann Bird

To help prevent or slow the spread, SGTC is asking all faculty, staff and students to view the video. The video is located on the college’s website at https://www.southgatech.edu/admissions/sgtc-covid-19-guidelines/. Students, faculty and staff are also being asked to complete the online form at the end of the video acknowledging that they have taken part in this safety presentation.

“By putting these safe practices in place, we can begin to move forward,” explained Dr. Watford. “These simple steps can help keep you and others safe as we begin returning to campus. Your safety is our priority.”

The video explains that COVID-19 is a virus that can be passed from person to person and that it affects the respiratory system. It also describes how the virus is spread and how people can unknowing pass the virus to others even when they are not showing signs of being sick.

The COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, body aches, trouble breathing, headache, sore throat, runny nose, problems with sense of smell or taste, nausea, and diarrhea. Individuals with these symptoms are urged to stay home and call their doctor or local urgent health care facility. Individuals who are concerned that they have been exposed to the virus are also encouraged to stay home and contact a physician.

 

SGTC Academic Dean Julie Partain and WIOA Assistant Minnie Williamson are shown with their SGTC masks and communicating behind protective plexiglass guards to help minimize COVID-19 risks.
Photo by Su Ann Bird

Preventative measures that are designed to keep the virus from spreading and to help keep individuals healthy are as follows: washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer, keeping at least six feet from other people, staying away from people who are visibly sick or coughing, covering mouth and nose area with a mask or face covering while in public areas, cleaning surfaces frequently, such as doorknobs, phone screens, countertops, and other items that people touch a lot.

“Educating faculty, staff and students about preventive measures and best practices for slowing the spread of the Coronavirus are all steps that South Georgia Technical College is utilizing to begin allowing students to return to campus on a limited basis for lab based classes this summer,” said Dr. Watford. “Summer semester will also allow the college to do a trial run for opening the college back up for fall semester.”

 

South Georgia Technical College Director of Campus Safety Sammy Stone and SGTC Retention and Coach Specialist and Testing Coordinator Charlene Williams are shown above wearing masks and practicing social distancing outside the Odom Center on the Americus campus.
Photo by Su Ann Bird

For more information about South Georgia Technical College’s flexible, safe and effective way to help students achieve their educational goals this fall, visit the SGTC website at www.southgatech.edu or follow the college on social media at southgatech.