UAPB Closes Until March 30th and President Trump Imposes 30-Day Ban on Travel from Europe

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff announced its decision to suspend face-to-face instruction until March 30^th after a group of 11 nursing students during clinicals along with two professors are believed to have come into indirect contact with a patient presumed to have the coronavirus. The patient tested positive for the coronavirus, but health authorities are waiting for confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control. The presumptive case is the first in Arkansas.

University officials cited an “abundance of caution” for the decision to continue the semester but via online instruction.

“You can never be too safe,” a student wearing latex gloves remarked as he left the campus.

At Jefferson Regional Medical Center where the patient is being treated, the sheriff’s department maintained a presence to discourage visits. Those seeking medical assistance were directed to Little Rock.

The World Health Organization Declares a Pandemic

The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus a global pandemic. Americans are taking precautionary measure as the outbreak spreads with authorities urging “mandatory social distancing”, the cancellation of large events, and the elderly and medically fragile to spend more time at home.

Director of the NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, sounded the alarm during testimony on Capitol Hill.

“We will see more cases and things will get worse than they are now. Bottom line, they are going to get worse,” Fauci said.

From Italy where the entire country is on lockdown to New Rochelle, New York where Governor Mario Cuomo has deployed the National Guard to deliver food to residents in a “containment zone”, the world is adjusting to guidelines developed to slow the spread of the disease.

President Trump Outlines Plans

President Trump addressed the nation amid growing concerns about public health and economic volatility. Critics accused the Trump Administration of a slow response to the coronavirus, but during his remarks, the President refuted the criticism, saying there was “early and intense” action which included a decision to “institute sweeping travel restrictions with China” where the coronavirus began. He also announced a plan to further prevent the spread of the outbreak.

“We will suspend all travel from Europe to the United States for the next 30 days,” Trump said from the Oval Office.

He also announced 50-billion dollars for small businesses hit hard by “temporary economic disruptions.”

The President also urged Americans to avoid “medically unnecessary” visits to nursing homes. And, he said “testing and testing capabilities are expanding rapidly.”

“Each of us has a role to play in defeating this virus,” Trump stated as he encouraged Americans to practice good hygiene, avoid large gatherings, and if elderly, adjust schedules to include more time at home.

The nation’s strong economy provides the “flexibility, reserves and resources” to fight the virus, the President said and directed Americans to follow the guidelines of local officials. For more information on the coronavirus, visit www.cdc.gov.