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March 10, 2020: COVID- 19 Update

March 10, 2020: COVID- 19 Update

As you are all aware, the spread of the COVID-19 continues to be a significant public health concern across the world. With that backdrop, by now you may have seen the announcement from President Ron Daniels outlining Johns Hopkins’ University-wide guidance and information related to adapting our operations to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19. I am writing to offer a few additional points specific to the Peabody community and our planned activities over the coming weeks.

Beginning tomorrow morning, Wednesday, March 11, and continuing through March 15, 2020 – following the advice of public health authorities and University guidance – all Peabody classes, lessons, rehearsals, performances, and events are canceled.

  • This includes Wednesday’s PSO concert at Shriver Hall, all four public performances of La Rondine, and any student recitals scheduled during this time.
  • While accommodations will be made for students who need to remain on campus, students living in the residence halls are strongly encouraged to travel home. Peabody Student Affairs will contact residential students with instructions.
  • The Peabody campus remains open and staff should follow normal HR procedures.

During the week of Spring Break (March 16 through 22, 2020), the Peabody campus will remain open.

  • Limited food service will be available to students who need to remain on campus.
  • Concert halls and performance spaces will be closed; access to practice rooms and studios will continue with limited hours.
  • Staff should report for work as usual.

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020, until at least April 12:

  • Students living in the residence halls are strongly encouraged not to return to campus following spring break. Peabody Student Affairs will contact residential students to register those who need to remain on campus.
  • All academic classes will be moved online; faculty and students are expected to participate in real time, as they would with in-person classes. Further guidance and technical information will be shared in the coming days.
  • Private lessons, likewise, will be delivered online. Further guidance and technical information will be shared in the coming days.
  • Ensemble rehearsals, recitals, studio classes, and public performances are suspended pending a return to normal operations in April.

In all circumstances, please continue to carefully follow all precautions to prevent the spread of viral illness, including washing your hands frequently; covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow; and staying home if you are sick. Campus-wide cautionary measures currently in place include the daily sanitizing of classroom surfaces, meeting spaces, and restrooms, and the daily cleaning of pianos and other shared instruments. In addition, you will notice hand sanitizer stations placed throughout the campus for your use.

As we go through this together as an inclusive university community, please be careful not to make assumptions about others based on perceived symptoms or identities (for example, ethnicity and/or national origin) and to be supportive of those for whom this might be an especially stressful situation. You can find updated expert resources about the Coronavirus on the Johns Hopkins Resource Center, and information specific to our University community on the Hub. As always, counseling resources are available to students via the Counseling Center and to faculty and staff through the MySupport program.

We recognize that many questions remain and thank you for your patience as we navigate this global challenge. Please reach out with your questions and concerns:

We recognize that this is a challenging time for our community. We will be in touch with additional information as this situation continues to develop. In the meantime, I thank you all for your continued efforts to stay informed and urge everyone to take good care of yourselves and others.