COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. The virus started around November 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has spread to thousands in South Korea as well. As a result, the Korean government has been conducting a social distancing campaign, encouraging telecommuting, and telling citizens to refrain from small group events or going out. Changwon National University is also dealing with the virus in various ways to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus infection.

The first day of classes, which was scheduled for March 2, was postponed by two weeks to March 16. The goal of this schedule change is to minimize contact between students and professors. From the beginning of the semester, classes will take place from March 16 to 30 with remote lectures, not in-person classes. (School schedules may change in the future.) Lectures are being held in alternative ways such as remote lectures and task replacement. It’s expected for professors and students to experience some inconvenience due to the introduction of unfamiliar teaching methods and the change of school schedules. However, all students and professors should practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The CWNU dormitories have announced a delay for moving into dormitories. With the start of the semester being postponed, entry into the dormitories has also been postponed by two weeks. Students should submit not only their TB medical certificate, but also self-diagnosis diaries when entering the dormitories. The self-diagnosis report records the temperature and physical condition of one's body from a minimum of two weeks before the date of moving in. Also, students must wear a mask when moving in luggage, and only dormitory residents can enter the dormitories. No family or friends are allowed in. If any abnormal symptoms are found, measures to return the dormitory resident home will be taken immediately. Details on these special precautions are at the CWNU dormitories page (http://portal.changwon.ac.kr/home/dorm). There is a need for active cooperation from students. Also, the western entrance to the dormitories is closed and there is controlled entering and exit.

▲ The western entrance near the dormitories is closed.

Next, the student council of CWNU has been collecting donations. The student council conducted a fundraising campaign for three days. Many students helped and participated, and as a result 2,660,000 won was raised. The money will be donated to the medical staff at Dongsan Hospital in Daegu. Details of this fundraiser can be found on Instagram (@cwnu_tie_36th) and a donation receipt is attached as a picture below.

▲ A donation receipt from CWNU.

The fitness center and library buildings have also been closed. To avoid spreading COVID-19 it is best to minimize socialization and stay in small groups. For this reason, the gym and library are temporarily closed. The gym was shut down in February and will be reopened on March 30. The library will reopen after the threat of COVID-19 is over. In addition, CWNU is trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by placing hand sanitizer around buildings and controlling the entry and exit people who aren’t students or faculty members. In addition, various events in the university such as MT have been cancelled.

Many students feel uncomfortable and anxious because of COVID-19. However, minimizing social contact is necessary to minimize the spread of COVID-19, and everyone needs to be careful. Everyone should try to participate in social distancing campaigns and thoroughly practice personal hygiene by wearing masks and washing hands. Everyone should be careful to prevent the spread of the epidemic so that everyone can return to a normal routine as soon as possible.

By Bae Yun-bin, reporter  binibbo99@naver.com

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