UMB leadership encourages regular virtual gatherings with family, friends, and colleagues, but if you choose to meet in person, it’s best to keep the number of people with whom you interact low.
As most of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) community continues to learn and work from home, UMB leadership encourages our students, faculty, and staff to continue following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to wear a face covering, keep 6 feet of physical distance, wash your hands regularly, limit gatherings, and avoid crowds.
Leadership also recognizes the importance of social contact for our mental and emotional well-being and encourages regular virtual gatherings with family, friends, and colleagues. However, for those who are meeting in person to socialize, study, or share a meal, we recommend keeping the number of people with whom you interact low and creating sort of a quarantine bubble.
Here’s how it works:
- Continue to follow all CDC guidelines (face coverings, physical distancing, etc.) in public or when interacting with others outside your bubble.
- Identify a small group of people with whom you can work, learn, and socialize. By keeping this group small, you can relax some of the rules within that small group without increased risk of spreading the virus.
- This requires trust. All members of the bubble must strictly follow CDC guidelines everywhere outside the bubble.
- Have only one small bubble (five to 10 people maximum). Safe bubbles aren’t possible if you have several bubbles with relaxed guidelines or a large bubble. Every additional person increases the risk.
- This is not risk-free! It is still possible to contract and spread COVID-19 within the bubble.
As temperatures fall and gatherings move inside, remember that indoor gatherings carry an even greater risk for spreading COVID-19 than outdoor activities. Continue to be vigilant, follow CDC guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19, and keep yourself and our community safe.