家族留学奮闘記

Dear Community Members,

The Pennsylvania area is experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 cases. Although the increase is relatively small, experts suggest that caseloads are likely much higher than the official numbers.

I want to assure you that the safety of our community here is my highest priority. And so I’m asking each of you to do your part by following the most up-to-date public health guidance:

If you've been exposed to COVID but aren't symptomatic, the CDC recommends that you wear a mask for 10 days after your exposure.

If you're experiencing symptoms of COVID or any viral illness, please stay home and test yourself. If you feel well enough to work and can do your job remotely, please contact your supervisor about working from home. If you don't feel well, please use your sick time and focus on getting better.

If you test positive for COVID, isolate immediately. The university's guidance states that if you test positive for COVID, you must isolate for 5 full days and mask diligently for an additional 5 full days. During the 5 days of masking following isolation, you should eat alone, maintain social distancing, and avoid in-person meetings when possible.

Many public health experts also recommend wearing a mask in crowded spaces such as buses and busy stores. I want to stress that it's always okay to wear a mask. You don't need to explain yourself or apologize for it. Similarly, if anyone asks you to mask up when entering their study or office space, please honor their request with grace.

As you can imagine, sharing public health guidance about rising COVID rates is not the way that I wanted to kick off the fall semester. But taking these small steps now is the surest path to a safe and successful year.
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A couple days ago, I also received a message from my wife, who still lives with our kids in Japan, telling me that our older child tested positive for COVID in the first week of the semester. What a challenging way to start off the fall semester... Now, my family needs to stay at home. I especially feel sorry for my child, who was very excited to meet friends after a long summer break.

It is frustrating that I cannot do anything to support my family from the US. I am a graduate student but also a father at the same time. No matter how far away I live from my family in Japan, my heart is always with them. I just hope that the COVID symptoms are mild, and my child will get better soon.