WHEREAS, The United States has officially declared a state of emergency in regards to the growing spread of COVID-19,
AND, Midwestern University students currently are nearly forced into highly close proximity with both ill individuals, at risk populations, student's families including at-risk family members, and other students,
AND, Midwestern University's policy revisions do not have any direct stipulations for reducing student to student, student to at-risk individual, or student-patient protections,
AND, Universities/Public Education systems INCLUDING other medical college campuses have moved to either a total cancellation or an entirely online curriculum to reduce the risk of individual spread,
AND, Due to the fact that COVID-19 is highly contagious prior to symptom display, meaning cases are incredibly hard to track, diagnose, and follow,
AND, Due to most programs resuming progress within the last few weeks returning from breaks/vacations PRIOR to travel restrictions and recent information regarding the pandemic being released,
AND, Due to a lack of testing materials, the actual number of COVID-19 cases seen in either the university clinic, by students in precepted locations (many of whom live on campus INCREASING likelihood of student to student transmission even for those who are not in clinic), and by the general Arizona/Illinois populations,
As such, we, the students, faculty, staff, and community of Midwestern University request and demand immediate action to provide clear and impactful direction to its local campuses that is uniform and in keeping with both CDC and other national standards for increased protection of all those who live in the community surrounding our medical education centers. We understand that these changes may be difficult to institute or inconvenient; however, the growth and lack of diagnostic/treatment options with COVID-19 present a clear and apparent danger that needs to be addressed to a greater degree.