Public Health Task Force Report 1.0
Date
2020-06-12
Authors
Arulanandam, Bernard
Cossman, Lynne
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
UTSA Public Health Task Force
Abstract
Description
As of early 2020, humanity is confronting a pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease, hereafter referred to as COVID-19.
This virus appears to be a new human pathogen, which emerged in 2019 and rapidly spread around
the globe. COVID-19 has affected millions of people, triggering unexpected changes within social
systems, healthcare, and the global economy. Several countermeasures have been implemented to
control the spread of COVID-19, from campaigns aimed to improve personal hygiene practices to
community approaches like social distancing and quarantines.
In late May 2020, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy established a Public Health Task Force, composed
of experts and stakeholders from across the university, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This
group was charged with gathering input from an external Expert Advisory Group on appropriate best
practices for a number of relevant topic areas, including protection and prevention policies associated
with health considerations, facilities, and student life. A copy of the Task Force Charge is available in
Appendix A. Based on this exchange, the Task Force has developed this overarching guidance
document of recommendations for the campus community as we move into planning and
implementation phases of reopening.
This UTSA Public Health Task Force reflects one of several groups working together to take public
health best practices into account as we plan to move forward with the highest level of safety and
consideration of our students, staff, and faculty. The University and the Public Health Task Force
expect to continue integrating input from many organizations including, but not limited to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
(THECB), The University of Texas System (UT System), the Governor’s Office, the National
Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health),
and others as relevant to this topic. All of this input will be woven into recommendations guiding our
tactical teams’ planning efforts for the 2020-2021 Academic Year.
We will continue to update this report as new guidance is made public and more is learned about this
novel virus’ spread and impact to San Antonio, including direct risk to our campus community.
Keywords
Public Health Task Force, COVID-19