In order to offer a central, reliable hub of information regarding the developing COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation, USC has launched usc.edu/coronavirus.

This “living” site includes messages to the USC community, travel information, frequently asked questions and the latest updated information. It also provides links to status updates from the Los Angeles County Department of Health, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. State Department.

For more in-depth information covering the situation on a larger scale, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to visit the CDC site on COVID-19, which is also being updated frequently. In regard to what people can do now in order to help protect themselves and others, the CDC recommends:

  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
  • Staying home if you get sick
  • Coughing or sneezing into your elbow (instead of your hand)
  • Frequent and thorough hand-washing
  • Avoiding touching your face
  • Keeping home and work areas clean and (when possible) disinfected
  • Practicing good health habits (plenty of sleep and exercise, stress management, drinking enough water and eating nutrient-rich food)

Additional, more specific recommendations can be found on the CDC site. It’s a good idea to check both the USC site and the CDC site regularly for the latest developments and safety guidelines.

— Kate Faye