We want to express our gratitude to the University of Richmond’s quick response to the coronavirus. However, the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading so rapidly now and we believe it will have a significant impact on the health and economy of Richmond community.The CDC recommends that "Community-based interventions such as school dismissals, event cancellations, social distancing, and creating employee plans to work remotely can help slow the spread of COVID-19." By shifting classes online and postponing large events, UR can reduce the impact of the virus on the community and the UR Health Care system.

Though there are no reported cases in the immediate Richmond community at this time, given the nine confirmed cases in the local state and the long incubation period of the virus, it is hard to know the extent of infection at this time. Moreover, our neighboring states Maryland and North Carolina have declared the state of emergency. If we allow the spread to go unmitigated, hospitals will become overwhelmed with patients and run out of crucial resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and personnel.  

Now is the ideal time to take action. As evidenced by the steps already in place to restrict travel to affected areas and mandate self-quarantine, the student body returning from Spring Break presents increased likelihood of infected persons on campus and transmission. If UR shifts classes online at this point, students will be able to study from home and not face the close proximity in dorms, classrooms, dining halls and other crowded areas which will inevitably increase infection rates.
Although the virus may not be lethal to most students who are young and healthy, some students and faculties are medically fragile and this virus may be deadly to them. Also, many students go home to vulnerable adults, such as parents with chronic disease or elderly grandparents. While many institutions have made decisions to move their classes online recently during the Spring Break, it is never too late for UR to act right now to reduce the advance of a rapid contagion.

We do not write this petition to get out of school work. We expect the administration to work with our teachers to provide us with online lectures and assignments and we, the students, will continue our studies while the campus is closed. 
We write this petition to recommend you to take preventative actions now to protect students and their families, reduce the strain on the health care system, and set an example for the broader community of Richmond.