Safety Protocol FAQs

Safeguarding the Campus Community 
Updated June 8, 2022

• How can I help prevent the spread of viruses including Coronavirus?
  • Get vaccinated (see Vaccine FAQs). 
  • Wear your face covering over your nose and mouth. In keeping with the latest New York State Department of Health (DOH) guidance, we recommend, but do not require, individuals on West Campus to mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Well-fitting masks covering the nose and mouth are still required for all employees throughout all buildings and facilities of Stony Brook Medicine.
  • Wash your hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, generously use your hand sanitizer. 
  • Do not share food/drinks and personal items with anyone, including your friends or roommates.
  • Clean all surface areas in your immediate space at least once per day, including your computer keyboard, credit cards, eye glasses, writing implements, cell phone, door knobs, light switches.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (or into your elbow when a tissue is not available) when you cough and sneeze.
  • Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Students should contact Student Health Services at (631) 632-6740 if you feel ill for an appointment.  Do not go to class or work, and stay in your room if you live on campus until the SHS provider has provided guidance to you on if you need a COVID-19 test.
  • Get your flu shot.
• What should I do if I have symptoms of COVID-19, but have not yet tested or are awaiting a test result?
  • Please do not report to work or attend classes on campus
  • If you have not done so already, please follow up with your private physician for a COVID test or you may perform your own home antigen test
  • Key points for using a self-test
    • • Use an FDA-approved test
      • Follow the manufacturer's instructions for swabbing
      • If your result is negative, repeat the self-test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, to increase the confidence that you are not infected with the virus causing COVID-19
      • If you continue to be symptomatic, and you have a negative test, you’ll need a molecular PCR test to be 100% sure
      • For additional guidance on self testing from the CDC, click here. Two items to note:
        • A negative self-test result means that the test did not detect the virus that causes but it does not rule out a COVID-19 infection. A single negative self-test result may not reliable, especially if you have symptoms associated with COVID-19.
        • If your result is negative, repeating the self-test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, will increase the confidence that you are not infected with the virus causing COVID-19
  • You may also obtain COVID testing by making an appointment through New York State’s “ COVID-19” website, where you’ll find test sites across the State, including Stony Brook’s Research and Development Park.
  • If you do not test positive, please remain at home until you feel well and are able to return to work
  • Do NOT use the campus COVID surveillance test centers when you are not well
• Are employees required to wear face coverings while at work?

  In keeping with the latest New York State Department of Health (DOH) guidance,* we recommend, but do not require, individuals on West Campus to mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.Well-fitting masks covering the nose and mouth are still required for all employees throughout all buildings and facilities of Stony Brook Medicine. We will continuously monitor, reassess and adapt to changing data and guidance, keeping you informed as conditions evolve. 
  
  *Guidance from DOH May 13, 2022 press release: “With COVID-19 subvariants continuing to spread, and with all but one county in New York State designated as medium or high-risk by the CDC, the State Department of Health today urged all New Yorkers to take common sense precautions to protect against COVID-19. This includes recommending all New Yorkers in high-risk counties, and those throughout the state with increased risk of severe disease due to underlying conditions, to wear masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.”

• What is considered a face covering and what is the correct way to wear a face covering?
  The CDC continues to recommend that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.  Some masks and respirators offer higher levels of protection than others.  Wearing a highly protective mask or respirator may be most important for certain higher risk situations, or by some people at increased risk for severe disease.  See the latest recommendations on the Update Page and University Policy P626: COVID-19 PANDEMIC HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY for more information about where face coverings are required.

   
• Will the University provide face coverings and gloves to employees returning to the workplace? If so, how do I get these supplies?

  The University is committed to the health and safety of the campus community. As such, cloth face coverings and other appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided to employees. Alternatively, employees may bring and wear their own appropriate PPE. Face coverings can be obtained by contacting your Supervisor.

• My job entails contact with the public and/or other employees. Will the University install protective barriers at my workstation?
  Engineering controls, such as the use of protective barriers, may be used in situations where face-to-face or close interactions must take place between people, and they cannot be eliminated through other administrative controls. Requests for engineering controls should be submitted through your Building Manager.
• I share an office with another person. Can one of us be moved so we are further apart?

  Each department should evaluate placement of personnel to ensure appropriate distancing.

• What if I notice unsafe working conditions?
  Safety concerns should first be reported to and discussed with your supervisor.  Environmental Health & Safety can be contacted at 631-632-6410 or ehsafety@stonybrook.edu if assistance is needed to evaluate hazards in the workplace.  Any condition that poses an imminent and serious risk to the health or safety of an individual should be reported to University Police so that immediate action can be taken. 
• Are contractors required to wear face coverings while working on campus?

  In keeping with the latest New York State Department of Health (DOH) guidance,* we recommend, but do not require, individuals on West Campus to mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.Well-fitting masks covering the nose and mouth are still required for all employees throughout all buildings and facilities of Stony Brook Medicine. We will continuously monitor, reassess and adapt to changing data and guidance, keeping you informed as conditions evolve. 
  
  *Guidance from DOH May 13, 2022 press release: “With COVID-19 subvariants continuing to spread, and with all but one county in New York State designated as medium or high-risk by the CDC, the State Department of Health today urged all New Yorkers to take common sense precautions to protect against COVID-19. This includes recommending all New Yorkers in high-risk counties, and those throughout the state with increased risk of severe disease due to underlying conditions, to wear masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.”

• Should gloves be worn to protect me from the SARS-CoV-2 virus?

  For the general public, wearing gloves is not necessary in most situations, like running errands. The CDC recommends wearing gloves when you are cleaning or caring for someone who is sick.  When used improperly gloves can give you a false sense of security and actually increase your risk, and the risk to others, of cross-contamination and exposure.

  Gloves should be worn when working with hazardous materials (cleaning products, harsh chemicals), or when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces after caring for someone who is sick. Gloves should not be worn when doing other general errands or work. The CDC provides guidance on the use of gloves on their website, including when, and when not to, wear gloves. They also have single-page posters that can be posted in public areas to help emphasize this message with building occupants.

  The CDC recommends that the best way to prevent the spread of the virus is to practice everyday preventive actions like keeping social distance (at least 6 feet) from others, washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds (or using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol), and wearing a mask when you have to go out in public.

COVID-19 Health Information Line 

• What do I do if I or someone I work with (or have been in contact with on-campus) tests positive for COVID-19?

  State and Research Foundation employees of West Campus, the Health Sciences Center, and FSA employees can contact the Health Information Line (HIL) by dialing (631) 632-5000 (on campus 2-5000). 

  Selecting option one (1) will connect you to a health care professional representing the Health Information Line (HIL). They can provide information if you have tested positive for COVID-19, isolation and quarantine precautions, or have general questions pertaining to COVID-19. 

  Messages will be returned as quickly as possible, generally within 24 business hours of receipt. You will be asked to provide your name, SBU ID#, a phone number to return your call, and a brief description of why you are calling. 

  Selecting option two (2) on the HIL will connect you to Human Resource Services who can provide general information to State and Research Foundation employees regarding alternative work assignment/locations and can answer questions about the use of accruals and leaves.

  School of Medicine and Hospital  employees should contact Employee Health at the Medical Center at (631) 444-7767. 

  LISVH employees should contact (631) 444-8617.

  For more information, please visit the Employee Health Information Line website. 

Social Distancing

• How will the University ensure that employees are maintaining social distancing and using face coverings?
  Preventing the spread of the virus is everyone’s responsibility. Departments will be required to submit Return-to-Workplace Plans and must ensure that staff and others comply with these requirements. Individuals who fail to comply may be referred to Labor Relations or Student Affairs.
• How long will social distancing measures last?

  The University will continue to follow the CDC’s and the Department of Health’s guidance. Fully-vaccinated individuals do not need to be physically distanced, indoors or out.

• Will in-person meetings be allowed?

  In-person meetings are permissible. Faculty and staff are encouraged to continue holding lower priority meetings online where practicable. 

• Will other spaces in my work area be closed, such as breakrooms, kitchen or other facilities?
  Some of these communal areas may be limited or closed temporarily.

Carpooling & COVID-19

• Is it ok to carpool and what safety precautions should I take if I do?

  While it is considered best practice to avoid carpooling as much as possible due to COVID-19 and its potential spread, there are situations when it may not be avoidable. If that happens, we want you to know the recommendations for doing so in the safest possible way:
   • WEAR MASKS in a shared vehicle at all times

   • Use FRESH AIR through VENTS and through WINDOWS

   • LIMIT THE NUMBER of people in the vehicle

   • RIDE to work WITH the SAME PEOPLE

   • COVER COUGHS and SNEEZES and DO NOT carpool if you are feeling ill or have COVID symptoms

   • Use proper HAND HYGIENE

   • CLEAN and DISINFECT surfaces in the vehicle often

  If you do develop symptoms or test positive, please consider letting your carpooling partner know.