COVID -19 Response
for the Catholic Campus Center at Washburn University
Due to COVID-19 there are necessary adaptations and new rules required for all of us that will change our day-to-day interactions. At this time we are instituting a combination of safety protocols for all our members.
We are in Topeka, Kansas in Shawnee County.
The Catholic Campus Center at Washburn University falls under the direction of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
We also as God’s Bods Catholic Campus Center at Washburn University are a recognized student organization at Washburn University.
Therefore, in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, we will be following first the guidelines of Shawnee County Health Department: https://www.snco.us/HD/coronavirus.asp , then the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas: https://www.archkck.org/, and also as a student organization the guidelines of Washburn University: https://washburn.edu/student-life/health-safety/index.html.
Mask Regulations Background
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends the use of simple cloth face masks/coverings to prevent respiratory droplets from traveling to other people and to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Governor of Kansas issued her Executive Order, EO 20-52, effective July 3, 2020, requiring masks to be worn. Effective July 7, 2020, Shawnee County approved a resolution and order with provisions requiring masks in certain circumstances in response to Governor Kelly’s executive order. The below regulations are based on the information from these three sources. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when masks are used along with other preventative measures like social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces. Definitions: “Mask” means a covering of the nose and mouth that is secured to the head with ties, straps, or loops over the ears or is simply wrapped around the lower face. A mask or other face covering can be made of fabric/cloth or can be disposable. It can be factory made or made from household items. A face shield is not considered a mask. The CDC does not recommend face shields as a substitute for cloth face coverings. “Public space” means any indoor or outdoor space open to members of the public. This means areas where the public is welcome to engage with employees without greater permission and does not include private office or workspaces (as the public must be invited into these spaces). “Social distancing,” also called “physical distancing,” means keeping at least 6 feet between yourself and others who are not from your household, except for infrequent or incidental moments of closer proximity their work as determined by workplace safety guidelines.