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

    South Georgia Technical College has created a COVID-19 informational 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 the spread of COVID-19.

   “We realize that there are a lot of questions and uncertainty right now about the Coronavirus and how it affects individuals,” said South Georgia Technical College 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.”

   South Georgia Technical College 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.

   To help prevent or slow the spread, South Georgia Technical College is asking all faculty, staff, and students to view the video.  The video is located on the South Georgia Technical College website at:  https://southgatech.edu/admissions/sgtc-covid-19-guidelines/.  Students, faculty, and staff also are 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.  These simple steps can help keep you and others safe as we begin returning to campus,” explained Dr. Watford. “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 unwillingly 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 your doctor or local urgent health care facility. Individuals who are concerned that they have been exposed to their virus are also encouraged to stay home and contact a physician.

   Preventative measures designed to keep the virus from spreading and help keep individuals healthy include: 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 you 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.  Summer semester will also allow the college to do a trial run for opening the college back up for Fall semester,” explained Dr. Watford.

   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 South Georgia Tech website at www.southgatech.edu or follow the college on social media at southgatech.