COVID-19
Covid-19 is an infectious disease responsible for the current global pandemic.[1] This page provides a list of resources and guides to help you navigate the pandemic.
Safety Precautions
There are several things you can do to protect themselves from infection. While these guidelines are intended specifically for Covid-19, they can also help you stay safe from other infectious diseases, such as the flu. However, do note that following all these guidelines does not guarantee full protection against Covid-19 or any other infectious disease; rather, following these guidelines just significantly lowers the chances of infection.
- Wearing a surgical or cloth mask indoors
- Eating outdoors when convenient
- Getting vaccinated
- Participating in weekly asymptomatic testing
The following guidelines are for students who are especially concerned about Covid-19:
- Wearing a N95 or KN95 mask indoors
- Wearing a N95 or KN95 mask outdoors
- Always eating outdoors
- Participating in daily asymptomatic testing
Testing
Georgia Tech provides both symptomatic and asymptomatic testing to students.[2] Only students who have Covid-19 symptoms can participate in symptomatic testing, while only students who do not have Covid-19 symptoms can participate in asymptomatic testing.[2]
Symptomatic Testing
Asymptomatic Testing
Asymptomatic surveillance testing is for students who do not have Covid-19 symptoms. Asymptomatic testing does not require an appointment, so any student can walk in and participate in testing. Stamps Health Services provides a table of testing sites and (TIMES). Expect testing centers to be closed during school holidays listed on the Registrar's calendar.
Preparation
Before participating in asymptomatic testing, first go to MyTest and sign in with your GT Account. Then, select "Get Tested," which is located in the upper right part of the page. Once this is selected, you will be able to select "Show Barcode," which is located in the upper left part of the page. Finally, make sure to wear or bring a mask and go to a testing site.
Testing Procedures
Upon arrival at a testing site, log in to MyTest on their phone and select "Show Barcode." Next, sanitize your hands using the sanitizer provided.[Note 1] After sanitizing, the barcode on your phone will be scanned, and then you will pick up a testing kit from the bin nearby. Without opening the testing kit, locate the vial inside and orient it so that the barcode on the vial is facing outwards. This barcode will also be scanned, and then you may go to a testing station.
At the testing station, open your testing kit and pull out the plastic cup. Remove their mask and spit as much saliva as possible into the cup. Once you finish spitting into the cup, you may put your mask back on. Next, pull out the vial from the testing kit and write your initials on the vial using the sharpie provided. The vial has a vertical line dedicated for your initials, and make sure to underline your initials with the sharpie as well. Then, using the dropper from the testing kit, transfer the saliva in the cup to the vial. Fill the vial to the marked horizontal line and close the vial. Afterwards, shake the vial 3-5 times, and pull out the biohazard bag from the testing kit. Finally, place the vial inside the bag, zip up the bag, and spray sanitizer onto the bag. At this point, you may also place the cup and dropper back into the testing kit.
Discard the testing kit into the trash bin, and place the biohazard bag into the other bin. Sanitize again on your way out, and feel free to grab a sticker, cookie, or other goodies if present. The table below provides a list of testing sites and possible goodies at each one.
| Testing Site | Reported Goodies[Note 2] |
|---|---|
| Crecine Apartments | Chocolate chip cookies, double chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, sugar cookies, chocolate chip brownies, stickers, $5 waffle house gift cards |
| Price Gilbert Memorial Library | Chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chip blondies, double chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, sugar cookies, brownies |
| North Avenue Apartments | Chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies |
Resources
NOVID
NOVID is an app available on both the App Store and Google Play that performs robust contact tracing for its users.
(Code for the GT group)
