What to do if your roommate becomes infected
September 8, 2009
In most situations, roommates of ill students can continue to stay in their rooms with their roommates. It is important to follow the guidelines for hand washing and good hygiene. You should limit direct face-to-face contact with your roommate and be careful when they are coughing and sneezing. You might also consider moving your beds apart if they are close together or sleep with your head in the opposite direction if your beds are in a stacked, lofted arrangement. Masks are available for the healthy roommate to use in the room as tolerated if they are concerned or cannot avoid close, direct contact. Healthy, uninfected people do not need to wear their masks outside of their residence hall rooms. The Community Life Staff is working with the Housing Department to identify open rooms on campus. They are developing plans that will allow roommates of ill students who do not feel comfortable staying in their rooms to temporarily seek housing in a different location. Community Life Staff will be sharing this information with students in the near future.