Covid
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for COVID-19
Wolf said he is currently experiencing no symptoms but is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health guidelines.
Penn undergrads living outside U.S. cannot hold work-study or TA positions in spring 2021
One CIS professor described the loss of TAs as a “major headache” for the CIS department, predicting more crowded office hours.
Thanksgiving break travel prompts Penn’s semester-high COVID-19 positivity rate
For just the third time this semester, the positivity rate climbed above 2% for the week ending on Dec. 5. Penn recorded its highest weekly case count at 107.
Medical experts discuss obstacles to COVID-19 vaccine distribution at Penn panel
The panel, called “Coronavirus Vaccine: Addressing the Challenges in Distribution and Uptake,” took place virtually on Friday and was hosted by Penn’s Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics.
‘Time to think’: Students on gap semesters reflect on chance to relax and explore interests
As the fall 2020 semester comes to a close, students who decided taken a leave of absence reflect on a time of improving mental health and exploring other interests — with some even realizing that finishing college might no longer be in the cards for them.
Penn to fully transition to saliva-based COVID-19 testing Dec. 7
The Penn community will now be screened for COVID-19 using saliva tests instead of nasal swabs that had been in use for the majority of the fall semester. The saliva testing method will enable the University to increase its testing capacity, especially as more students are expected to return to campus in the spring.
Ezekiel Emanuel, Biden COVID-19 advisor, to teach Penn course on Benjamin Franklin in spring
Despite his newfound responsibilities to the Biden presidential transition effort, Emanuel said he will be fully engaged in his Penn teaching duties. His course PHIL 118: Ben Franklin & His World will examine controversial aspects of Franklin’s life such as his participation in the slave trade.
Despite mass increase in COVID-19 testing, most test results come back within 1-3 days
From Nov. 15 to Nov. 21, the University conducted 6,499 tests — over 1,000 more than any week prior — with the total positivity rate reported at 1.54%, slightly above the 1.29% average for the semester.
Delayed COVID-19 test results disrupt Penn students’ Thanksgiving travel plans
Penn's test results website states that results could take up to 72 hours or longer. For some students, this unexpected change in timeline, coupled with other COVID-19-related concerns, has altered their Thanksgiving break plans.
New Board of Trustees chair talks Penn’s spring plans and refusal to divest from fossil fuels
In an interview with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Bok, the current vice chair of the board, spoke about the University’s plans to reopen in the spring and refused to budge on students' calls to divest from fossil fuels and make Payment in Lieu of Taxes.
Philosophy profs. discuss ethical COVID-19 vaccine distribution at Penn Science Cafe event
Philosophy professor Kok-Chor Tan highlighted three principles: benefiting people and preventing harm, prioritizing disadvantaged nations, and equal moral concern.
Philadelphia restaurant owners sue Mayor Jim Kenney and Phila. over indoor dining ban
The complaint alleges that the City of Philadelphia violated the Fifth Amendment by taking private property without compensation. The plaintiffs also allege that the city violated the Fourteenth Amendment by depriving restaurant owners of property without due process.
Students urge off-campus residents to follow Philadelphia’s new COVID-19 restrictions
The recent surge in cases and city restrictions have caused many students to doubt Penn's plans to open on-campus housing this spring, particularly as some students claim that there continues to be large indoor gatherings and parties off campus.
Penn extends housing cancellation deadline to Dec. 1 following student backlash
Wary of last-minute changes as seen with Penn's decision in August to close on-campus housing for the fall, students criticized the original Nov. 20 deadline to confirm on-campus housing without incurring the $500 cancellation fee.
Penn still plans to reopen in the spring despite new citywide COVID-19 restrictions
The city's rush to close parts of daily life in response to the rise in cases has not motivated the University to reconsider its plan to open on-campus housing in the spring.
Philadelphia announces new COVID-19 restrictions, banning indoor gatherings
Philadelphia's new coronavirus restrictions include limits on outdoor gatherings and a complete ban on indoor group gatherings of any size, with city officials encouraging residents to not celebrate Thanksgiving with anyone outside their own household.
Penn study finds one-third of U.S. adults felt depressed, anxious in early days of pandemic
The study's results indicated that those more concerned with economic issues caused by COVID-19 were more likely to have deteriorating mental health.
Photo Essay | Meet seven essential workers keeping Penn's campus running during the pandemic
In the eight months since campus closed, Penn employees have continued to come to campus to keep the University running. Here are the stories of seven essential workers who have risked their health since March to work during the coronavirus pandemic.
UA urges Penn to give more days off in lieu of spring break
The UA unanimously passed a resolution calling on Penn to institute two to five single day breaks on Fridays or Mondays throughout the remainder of the fall semester and the upcoming spring semester.