Coronavirus Updates and Information

List of 8 items.

• Thursday, March 19, 5:45 PM -- COVID19 Reporting

  Dear Gonzaga Community,
  
  On Monday of this week we announced Father Planning’s positive coronavirus diagnosis. At the time, Gonzaga was only a few days removed from the announcement that we were transitioning to distance learning, and the practice of “social distancing” wasn’t yet something that we as region had enacted as seriously as we have now.  So we knew that a community-wide announcement was the right thing to do.   

   

  We were anticipating then that if others in our school community contracted the virus, that we would seek to similarly announce those diagnoses, for the health and safety of our community.

   

  But a lot has changed in a few short days. Like all of you, we are hearing reports of people who have been tested and are awaiting results. Or have an appointment to get tested.  Or feel like they need to be tested but can’t get a test scheduled, and are instead being told to stay at home and self-quarantine.

   

  As of the writing of this note, we still do not have another confirmed case of coronavirus that has been brought to our attention by faculty, staff, or students—or even students’ families.  

   

  But as I’ve mentioned to a number of people, Father Planning isn’t just one of the unluckiest people in DC—he just happened to get tested early and his test came back pretty quickly.  The reality is that now we all know people who have the virus — whether they’ve chosen to tell others or not.  Or even, whether they know it or not.  

   

  So where does all of this leave us in terms of sharing information?  
  
  The short answer is in a very imperfect scenario. Because even if someone in the school community — a teacher or student, for example — tests positive, they have the right to keep that information private.  And we also know it’s inevitable that people we all know from various walks of life could contract the virus—but won’t have a test result that confirms it.  
  
  So the reality is that we cannot accurately or completely share positive confirmation of the virus among members of our school community.  To give that impression would not only be a disservice to our school community, it would be ethically irresponsible in the face of the the crisis we as a country are facing.
  
  So if and when someone in the school community lets us know that they have received a positive test and they they would like the community proactively made aware, we will post it on this page along with relevant info. But Gonzaga is obviously not a public health agency, and so the more important step is for that person to follow CDC guidelines for self quarantine, notification of those with whom they have had direct contact, etc. And for all of us to continue to practice social distancing — which is, hard as it may be — thankfully now the norm, and without question the solution we need to reduce the impact of this virus.
   

  Hang in there everyone, and have faith. Together, we’ll make it to the other side of this.
  
  Stephen Neill
  Chief Operating Officer
  
  
  

   

• DC Department of Health Recommendations

  The following information was provided to individuals who had direct contact with Father Planning on Friday, March 13 by the District of Columbia Department of Health. These individuals were assessed to be "medium risk" and were told to take the following precautions for the 14 days immediately after their date of exposure.

   
  

  Precautions to Follow if You Currently Do Not Have Symptoms of COVID-19

  To the extent possible, remain at home or in a comparable setting: Make every effort to limit the potential spread of the virus to others o   Limit public activities and gatherings (e.g. going to restaurants or stores, attending conferences) o   Work at home o   If you are a student, make alternative arrangements to obtain class materials o   Do not take public transportation (e.g. Metro buses or trains) o   Do not use taxis or rideshare services (e.g. Uber, Lyft) o   If you need to go to the grocery store, avoid going during busy times and always wear a face mask o   You may go outside if you will not have close contact with others (i.e. no one within 6 feet of you) o   You may have meals or groceries delivered, but wear a face mask when receiving the food or have it placed outside you door   If there are other persons in your household, please follow the following guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html.   Postpone additional long-distance travel: If you become symptomatic during travel, you may be subject to additional movement restrictions and isolation requirements and unable to return   Only visit a healthcare facility via medical transport (e.g. ambulance) or private vehicle o   Call ahead to tell them about your exposure   Monitor yourself closely for symptoms: Check for fever by taking your temperature twice a day and remain alert for cough or difficulty breathing.  o   If you develop symptoms, follow the precautions described below

  Precautions to Follow if You Develop Symptoms of COVID-19* * fever, cough, difficulty breathing

  If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. Be sure to let them know about your recent travel If you develop a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, please contact DC Health immediately at (202) 576-1117 Visits to a healthcare facility must be via medical transport (e.g. ambulance) or private vehicle o   Be sure you are wearing a face mask if available

   

   

   

• Tuesday, March 17, 9:30 AM -- Email to Parent Community

  Dear Parents,

  
  As we navigate these trying times, please know that Gonzaga is operating from a standpoint of full and complete transparency.

  
  At the moment we know of no other positive cases of coronavirus among faculty, staff or students other than Father Planning. But given the trajectory of the illness and the size and reach of our community, we are not assuming that will remain the case.

  
  With that in mind, if any of your sons test positive for COVID-19, we hope that you will share that information with the school and give us permission to share it as needed with fellow students, faculty and staff, other parents, etc. While our preference would be that you allow us to identify your son by name, we will fully respect the privacy of your son’s information — and work with you to share information in a way that is informative and helpful to others whether you would like him identified or not.

  
  That information should be shared immediately with Gonzaga's Chief Operating Officer Stephen Neill (sneill@gonzaga.org) and Gonzaga's Senior Director of Marketing and Communications Mary Clare Glover (mcglover@gonzaga.org).

  
  I ask this not to further alarm you, but hopefully to reassure you that we’re doing all we can to keep our community informed.

  
  As a reminder, updates on this situation are being posted to Gonzaga’s website and can be viewed here.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  Thomas K. Every II

  Headmaster

• Tuesday, March 17, 7:37 AM -- Email to all Faculty and Staff

  Good Morning Colleagues, 
  
  I received a nice email last night from alumnus David Culver, who many of you know is reporting for CNN from China, and was in Wuhan at the early stages of things. In addition to wishing us all well from Beijing, he wrote: “As someone who’s been living this bizarre period for 8 weeks straight now… rest assured, there is a light at the end of this darkened tunnel;  we’re starting to see it here.  This too shall pass.”

   

  I firmly believe that light that David is seeing will be visible for us soon enough.  

   

  But since I fear we’ve got a ways to go before we get there, I’m writing to ask that if any faculty or staff member is tested and receives a confirmation of COVID19, that you please share that information immediately and give the school permission to share it with others as well — including your name.

   

  That information — along with your doctor’s contact info — should be sent to me, Tom Every, and Mary Clare Glover.

   

  This is what Father Planning did, for the good of Gonzaga and the good of our broader community. We need to follow his example, if and when any of us receive similar news.

   

  In any other circumstance, this would be an unusual request.  But I hope you all  realize it’s an essential request for an unusual time.  

   

  Thanks everyone.  And keep an eye out for the light that David Culver is seeing in the East.  

   

  Stephen Neill

• Monday, March 16, 8:58 PM -- Statement/Father Planning's Recent Schedule

  Gonzaga College High School can confirm that our President, Father Stephen Planning, tested positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on March 15th. Currently, Father Planning is experiencing mild flu-like symptoms and is in self-quarantine at his residence.
  
  On March 12th Gonzaga made the decision to move all classroom instruction to a virtual learning environment through April 14th. All in-person student activities (including retreats, sports, and travel) have been cancelled through that date. Currently no other cases of COVID-19 are known amongst faculty, staff, or students at Gonzaga -- however we know some people who came into contact with Father Planning are being tested.
  
  Here is a statement provided by the DC Department of Health to Gonzaga on Monday,  March 16 at 8:45 PM. As this situation unfolds, please continue to monitor DC Health for the latest guidance. 
  

  
  ”On March 16th, DC Health was notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19 at Gonzaga College High School.  Through DC Health’s investigation it has been determined that all those who had close contact with this individual between March 13th to today could have been exposed to COVID-19. March 13th is the first date this individual was symptomatic. At this time we believe individuals with close contact when the confirmed case is symptomatic are at medium to high risk of developing COVID-19.  DC Health is recommending that such individuals should isolate themselves at home and await contact from DC Health.”

  
  

  We recommend that all those who came into contact with Father Planning since March 1 (two weeks prior to his diagnosis) contact their healthcare provider and follow Centers for Disease Control and DC Health guidance.
  
  To assist with this effort, Father Planning's schedule -- including travel to Florida for school business -- is posted below.

   

  Rev. Stephen W. Planning, SJ Schedule

  March 1 to March 16
  
  

  Sunday, March 1

   

  10am: Gonzaga Mother Son Mass and Breakfast at Gonzaga. In Sheehy Theater and Carmody Center Gymnasium

   

  5:40pm: Flight from DCA to Tampa Bay Florida (TPA) American Airlines Flight AA1693

   

  Evening: Overnight Stay at Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa

   

  Monday, March 2

   

  Morning: Breakfast meeting at First Watch Restaurant in Clearwater Florida

   

  Noon: Lunch at private residence in St. Pete Beach, Florida

   

  Evening: Dinner at private residence in Sarasota, Florida

   

  Overnight: Hampton Inn & Suites Sarasota / Brandenton-Airport

   

  Tuesday, March 3

   

  Morning: At hotel

   

  1pm: Lunch at Traders Restaurant, Sanibel, Florida

   

  Evening: Dinner at the Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market in Sanibel, Florida

   

  Overnight: Hampton Inn and Suites Cape Coral / Fort Myers Area

   

  Wednesday, March 4

   

  Morning: Breakfast at Coffee and Friends Restaurant in Englewood, Florida

   

  Lunch at Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Florida

   

  Afternoon: Meeting at Club Pelican Bay in Naples, Florida

   

  Evening: Dinner at Alberto's on Fifth: Naples Florida Fine Italian Restaurant in Naples, Florida

   

  Overnight: Hampton Inn Bonita Springs, Naples North

   

  Thursday, March 5

   

  Morning: At Hotel

   

  Noon: Lunch Meeting at Bugatti Restaurant in Coral Gables, Florida

   

  Evening: Dinner at Captain Charlie’s Reef Grill in Juno Beach, Florida

   

  Overnight: Stay at Home2 Suites by Hilton in West Palm Beach Airport

   

  Friday, March 6

   

  Morning: Meeting at Greens Pharmacy in Palm Beach, Florida
  
  Evening: Dinner at La'Aqua Ristorante Italiano in Delray, Florida

   

  Saturday, March 7

   

  Flight from PBI to DCA -- American Airlines flight 1837

   

  Evening: Visit to Goodwin House Retirement Community (4800 Fillmore Ave., Alexandria, VA)
  
  Sunday, March 8
  
  Information pending

   

  Monday, March 9

   

  10:30am: Concelebrated funeral Mass for Agnes Williams, Holy Trinity Church, Georgetown.

   

  12:00pm onward: Meeting at Gonzaga with Headmaster, other staff.

   

  Tuesday, March 10

   

  Morning: Meetings at Gonzaga with faculty members, members of the Gonzaga Mothers Club

    

  Wednesday, March 11

   

  Morning: Doctor's appointment at 1005 N Glebe Rd #750, Arlington, VA 22201  

   

  Midday: Meetings: Staff; Gonzaga alumnus; Members of Construction firm APM, Coakley Williams, Chesapeake Painting

   

  Evening: Gonzaga Mothers Club Meeting

   

  Thursday, March 12

  
  Morning: Celebrated Mass in Our Lady's Chapel before school 

  
  Morning: Meeting with Communication staff, other Gonzaga staff

   

  Midday: Meeting with former Gonzaga Board Member

   

  Afternoon: Meetings with multiple Gonzaga staff

   

  Evening: Visit to DC Costco (2441 Market Street, NE)

    

  Friday, March 13

   

  Morning: Meeting with Gonzaga faculty and staff

   

  Midday: Visit to Goodwin House Retirement Community (4800 Fillmore Ave., Alexandria, VA)
  
  Midday: Small group meetings with Gonzaga faculty and staff

   

  Evening: Home at Gonzaga

   

  Saturday, March 14
  
  

  Midday: Visit to Sibley Hospital

   

  Evening: Home at Gonzaga

   
  Sunday, March 15
  
  Self-quarantined at home
  
  Monday, March 16
  
  Self-quarantined at home
  
  
  
  Gonzaga is grateful for the outpouring of prayers and concern both for Father Planning and the Gonzaga community.  Ultimately, that sense of community -- rooted in our collective faith and the example of St. Ignatius -- is among our greatest strengths, especially at extraordinarily difficult moments such at this.  St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Pray for Us.
  
  
  

                

• CDC and DC Health Resources

  Click here for more information about COVID19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  
  And click here for more information about COVID19 from the DC Department of Public Health. 

   

• The Critical Importance of Social Distancing

  Gonzaga is imploring all in our community and the DMV to heed the warning around social distancing, for the sake of vulnerable and especially elderly populations.  Read more on why it is vital to start practicing social distancing now by clicking here.

• Monday, March 16, 10:45 AM -- Email to the Community

  Dear Gonzaga Community, I’m writing with news that has perhaps felt inevitable, which is that a member of the Gonzaga community has tested positive for COVID-19. That colleague, it is my sad duty to report — and I do so with his permission and full encouragement — is Gonzaga’s President Fr. Stephen Planning. At present, he is showing only mild symptoms, namely a low grade fever, which started on Friday late afternoon. He woke up Saturday still feeling feverish, and at his doctor’s order went to the hospital. After the flu and other causes were ruled out, a coronavirus test was given on Saturday night. That test came back positive late last night (Sunday). He is feeling relatively well, is in OK spirits, has been resting, and is doing what is urgently required from all of us during this time — namely self quarantining. The only reason I’m writing this note instead of him is because he’s focused on resting and getting in touch with individuals he had direct contact with in recent days, including on recent travel to Florida. If you’re one of those people, please follow the CDC’s guidelines and recommendations for monitoring for symptoms. Per those guidelines, you should contact your physician if you develop a fever or other symptoms associated with this virus. I know how distressing this news is to each of you on. It is for me too. Sadly, while this may be the first time this virus reaches someone for whom we care, it likely will not be the last. Now more than ever, our community must take extremely seriously the public health responsibility of social distancing. It’s a critical action each of us can do to mitigate the rate at which the virus spreads — this is of critical importance to the health of each other and especially vulnerable populations. We are working on more communications, but we ask for your patience — we’re doing our very best in an extraordinarily difficult situation. Father Planning also asks that you please not reach out to him so that he can focus on communicating with those he needs to be in touch with. As this news demonstrates, this situation for our Gonzaga community and all communities is going to get harder before it gets better. But just as I am hopeful Fr. Planning will make a full recovery, I remain faithful that this will eventually pass for our school and society. We will continue to keep you updated as we move forward together. May God bless each of you and the Gonzaga community. Stephen Neill Chief Operating Officer