{"643739":{"#nid":"643739","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Tips for Socializing Safely During Cold Weather","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs the winter continues and the temperatures remain cool, students are trying to find new ways to socialize safely. While virtual gatherings are still the safest way to spend time with friends, those wanting to do so in person still have options with lower risk of transmitting the virus.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAvoid large gatherings.\u003C\/strong\u003E The likelihood that someone in a group is infected increases as the size of the group grows. While there\u0026rsquo;s no official number that constitutes a \u0026ldquo;safe\u0026rdquo; small group, public health guidance has recommended limiting groups to 10 people.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFollow all appropriate protocols. \u003C\/strong\u003EMaintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others when spending time together in person. Face coverings are also required while inside campus facilities and buildings where 6 feet may not always be possible (though not inside one\u0026rsquo;s own living space). Masks aren\u0026rsquo;t a substitute for social distancing; the two should be practiced in tandem. And while masks aren\u0026rsquo;t required outdoors, you\u0026rsquo;re still safest when wearing one, even if you\u0026rsquo;re already social distancing.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThere are several \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/specialevents.gatech.edu\/spring-campus-events-guidelines\u0022\u003Eguidelines\u003C\/a\u003E for events hosted throughout the spring. If you\u0026rsquo;re hosting a student event, make sure to review those a few weeks in advance. Click \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/2020\/08\/19\/formal-processes-and-recommendations-following-safety-practices-students-student-groups\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E for more formal processes and recommendations for in-person gatherings.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHang out outside. \u003C\/strong\u003EThere are several outdoor spaces on campus for students to utilize, including Tech Green on East Campus and Burger Bowl and Roe Stamps Recreation Fields (SAC Fields) on West Campus. Note that the SAC Fields are sometimes \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/crc.gatech.edu\/about\/rentals\/requests\u0022\u003Ereserved in advance\u003C\/a\u003E by different organizations. Many small courtyards and lawns, perfect for small outdoor hangouts, are located between various sets of on-campus dorms and apartments.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn addition, there are tents located around campus equipped with heaters and lawn chairs. Tents can be reserved through the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/gtevents.gatech.edu\/EMSWebApp\/RoomRequest.aspx\u0022\u003Eonline event management system (log in with Georgia Tech credentials).\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERemember that others will also want to take advantage of outdoor spaces. \u003C\/strong\u003EWhile it\u0026rsquo;s important to spread out, don\u0026rsquo;t do so in a way that takes up more space than you need. If you\u0026rsquo;re participating in an activity that involves moving around, make sure you don\u0026rsquo;t cross over into someone else\u0026rsquo;s personal space.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAvoid sharing food, drinks, and other items. \u003C\/strong\u003EIt\u0026rsquo;s possible that Covid-19 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/prevent-getting-sick\/how-covid-spreads.html\u0022\u003Ecan be spread from an object\u003C\/a\u003E that has the virus on it. Therefore, it\u0026rsquo;s safest to avoid sharing anything with your friends, especially food and drinks.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUtilize the contact tracing app NOVID. \u003C\/strong\u003EGeorgia Tech is using NOVID, a contact tracing app that will anonymously notify those who might have been exposed to Covid-19. Keeping the app on standby mode whenever you\u0026rsquo;re outside of your usual living space can help keep track of those you come into contact with and notify you when someone you\u0026rsquo;ve been around tests positive for Covid-19. Learn more about the app \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/news.gatech.edu\/2020\/08\/17\/novid-exposure-notification-app-enlists-smartphones-coronavirus-battle\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERegularly sanitize your hands while socializing, and wash them thoroughly once you get home. \u003C\/strong\u003EThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/coronavirus\/2019-ncov\/prevent-getting-sick\/prevention.html\u0022\u003Efrequently wash their hands\u003C\/a\u003E, especially after returning from a public place. If you can\u0026rsquo;t wash your hands, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGet tested regularly.\u003C\/strong\u003E Consistent testing is one of the most important parts of containing the spread of the coronavirus on campus. Georgia Tech offers free surveillance testing for asymptomatic students at multiple locations on campus, and students are encouraged to get tested once a week. Register for testing at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/mytest.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003Emytest.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/health.gatech.edu\/coronavirus\/testing\u0022\u003Esee testing site locations here\u003C\/a\u003E. Symptomatic students can \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/health.gatech.edu\/whats-different-stamps-fall-2020-our-covid-19-response#test\u0022\u003Eget tested at Stamps Health Center\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EAs the temperature drops and pandemic continues, there are still ways to stay safe while seeing others.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"As the temperature drops and pandemic continues, there are still ways to stay safe while seeing others."}],"uid":"34946","created_gmt":"2021-02-01 21:04:53","changed_gmt":"2021-02-02 00:29:35","author":"gwyner3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2021-02-01T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2021-02-01T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"640623":{"id":"640623","type":"image","title":"Students with masks at Einstein statue","body":null,"created":"1603741455","gmt_created":"2020-10-26 19:44:15","changed":"1615382838","gmt_changed":"2021-03-10 13:27:18","alt":"","file":{"fid":"243501","name":"JPJ_edited.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/JPJ_edited.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/images\/JPJ_edited.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":64624,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/images\/JPJ_edited.jpg?itok=Z78ylzma"}}},"media_ids":["640623"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/gtevents.gatech.edu\/EMSWebApp\/RoomRequest.aspx","title":"Event Management System"}],"groups":[{"id":"1317","name":"News Briefs"}],"categories":[{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[{"id":"184995","name":"tech moving forward"},{"id":"184289","name":"covid-19"},{"id":"186898","name":"Covid-19 precautions"},{"id":"167060","name":"safety"}],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[{"id":"71871","name":"Campus and Community"}],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:stucomm@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EGrace Wyner\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EInstitute Communications\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}