Dear Extension Family
As we are now entering day 76 of the COVID-19 Modified Operating Procedure for Extension, it is important that we stay positive and upbeat. As we start opening up counties during Phase 1, beginning today, we must follow our Clemson Extension Return to Work Framework plan. A summary of the plan is available for download, and I ask that everyone read through it. I, like many of you, wish we could get back to normal sooner rather than later. At times, it has been confusing to understand what information is affecting decision-making processes as well as frustrating to wait for directives.
What I do understand is that COVID-19 spreads very easily among people through close contact within six feet and that the elderly and people with existing chronic medical conditions are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill and dying. The governor of Washington, Jay Inslee, stated early on that the ‘penalty’ for those who do not take the recommended precautions may be that they end up infecting those in high-risk groups with devastating outcomes. We do not want to be responsible for an outbreak or resurgence that would not only shut down reopening processes but, more critically, endanger the safety and lives of others. We must follow the protocols and stay the course.
Dr. Burns is continuing to work closely with the University’s EOC to keep us updated on protocols to be implemented and the timeline to do such. We cannot take any chances by rushing decisions. I had hoped that we could start having in-person events by June 15, and unfortunately, that is not going to happen. It appears that it will be late July or August before we can transition back to in-person programming, although we will still have to wait for permission from the University’s EOC before we may do so. Each week going forward, the District Directors will be closely monitoring procedures with the County Coordinators for employee reentry. We will include a color-coded map in the Extension employee newsletter every week that will track the reentry phases for each county. Click here to view this week’s color-coded map.
I am asking for your patience and continued support as we work through our reentry plan. We have sacrificed too much to not stay the course and do this the correct way. Yesterday in Dean Belli’s leadership team meeting, Tyler Cornwell, the CAFLS Director of Development, began his comments with, “I want to give a shout-out to Extension. They are doing it right with their modified operating procedure and reentry plan. The entire Development Office is talking about it, as well as all of our agricultural donors. The farmers are saying Extension has not missed a beat. I just want you, Dr. Dobbins, to know that we are proud to be on your team.” This, of course, made me feel very proud of all of you. Our team is doing exceptional work, and it shows.
Let’s stay the course. Let’s come back in such a way that it is recognized more than ever how responsive we are in serving the people of South Carolina. As always, please take good care of yourselves and your families, and thank you for what you do for Clemson Extension.
