Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

University of Mississippi

Friday, May 1, 2020 COVID-19 updates

Editor’s Note: Starting next week, the UM COVID-19 email update will be published once a week on Wednesdays (excluding holidays) for the immediate future as the university continues to share important announcements and information related to our operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

University News

Phishing Emails
During this pandemic, we are seeing many more phishing messages. When you receive an email that you suspect is phishing, please check this IT Security site created to list the most recent phishing messages to see if it has been posted previously. If it isn’t listed, please forward the email to abuse@olemiss.edu for further action if necessary.
Quick tip: Any email that contains [EXTERNAL] at the top of the message indicates that it originated outside the university, even if it says it came from the Chancellor, the Provost, a dean, or a director. In some instances, an @olemiss.edu email account has been compromised and used to send phishing messages, at which point the [EXTERNAL] tag would not exist. Recent emails offering dog walking & pet sitting services are examples of that approach.

 

COVID-19 Glossary Project by UM Students
Students in two UM integrated marketing communications classes created a Facebook glossary of more than 40 COVID-19 terms. They used the social media app Wakelet to create informative posts that include concise definitions of key terms plus explanatory articles, videos, infographics, tweets, and reader engagement polls. The IMC 390 students posted these “wakelets” to help promote their class client, the UM Biology Department, and to promote science literacy, said Kristie Swain, associate professor of journalism. Her IMC 585-Health Communication class contributed glossary posts to improve public understanding of COVID-19 public health terms that appear frequently in the news. You can also browse the A-to-Z index.

 

Other Things to Know

The Mississippi State Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline, 877-978-6453, is now open every day from 7 a.m.–11 p.m.
UMMC and MSDH are hosting mobile COVID-19 sample collection sites. The appointment-only testing is free of charge. Anyone experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, who wants to be tested must first undergo a free screening from a UMMC clinician through the C Spire Health UMMC Virtual COVID-19 Triage telehealth smartphone app. Those without a smartphone can call 601-496-7200.
  • May 2: Decatur, Clarke Venable Baptist Church
  • May 4: Natchez, Adams County Safe Room
  • May 4: Kosciusko, Attala County Coliseum
  • May 5: Macon, Noxubee Civic Center
  • May 5: Port Gibson, Claiborne County Parks and Rec
On the Lighter Side:
There are a number of university studies and surveys available that welcome your participation. Below is a series of links for you to learn about them and participate.