Mountaineers:

On our campus and in our High Country community, you have been slowing the spread of COVID-19 in many ways. You continue to wear your face coverings on campus, keep your gatherings small and maintain physical distance. Thank you!

As we approach Halloween this weekend, we must remain vigilant in our commitment to keeping each other, our campus and our community safe. Halloween is an opportunity for gathering with friends, dressing up in costumes and making memories, and like everything during this pandemic, we will all be adjusting how we celebrate. If you gather with friends to watch the App State football game on Saturday or otherwise celebrate Halloween, please follow the appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19:

• Follow the 3W’s:
  • Wear your face covering, even outside and in small groups
  • Wait 6 feet apart
  • Wash your hands often and/or use hand sanitizer
• Think about ways you can gather with friends outside.
• If you are with friends outside your household or “pod,” be sure to take extra precautions to keep yourself safe.

Here are some resources that offer additional guidance on how to help protect yourself and your families, friends and communities from COVID-19 while celebrating:

• Read state public health guidance on social gatherings.
• Read additional guidance from the Centers for Disease control on holiday gatherings.

As Covid-19 continues to challenge each of us in all aspects of our lives, we must stay the course to prevent the spread. Face coverings have made a difference, and continue to do so across our community. We must continue to be aware of the impact we each can have to keep each other safe. It takes every one of us doing our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

This time of year can be stressful in normal times. Please remember there are resources to help you manage academic and personal pressure and stress. I also encourage you to:

• Take breaks from social media and from watching, reading or listening to news stories if you are feeling overwhelmed or distressed.
• Do what you can to eat healthy foods, exercise, get adequate sleep and find time to unwind.
• Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
• Use the mental and emotional well-being resources on campus and/or take advantage of the national distress hotline: 1-800-985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746

Thank you for continuing to adhere to all safety precautions. We are strong, we are resilient and we will manage to get through this pandemic! We are Mountaineers!

Stay safe, and stay well,

J.J. Brown | Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs