Phi Kappa Psi and COVID-19

A message from SWGP David Moyer on the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

To the Brothers, Parents and Friends of Phi Kappa Psi:

I know many people are becoming more aware and concerned with the COVID-19 virus and the ramifications with school, activities, financial stress and certainty, and most importantly your health and well-being.

Detailed information about the COVID-19 virus is available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/. The phone number for the Centers for Disease Control is 1-800-232-4636.

COVID-19 causes respiratory illness and infection of the airways and lungs. It is part of the same family of coronavirus diseases which includes the common cold. Symptoms typically appear in 2 to 14 days, which include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you have recently traveled to Italy, China or South Korea, and are experiencing any of these symptoms, I would strongly recommend visiting your university health center or family doctor as soon as possible.

The Center for Disease Control recommends the following actions to protect yourself from acquiring the virus:

• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid shaking hands, hugging or kissing.
• Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow and wash your hands as soon as practical afterwards.
• Clean and disinfect frequently used or touched surfaces.
• Avoid large groups or events, especially when you are sick.
• Keep your houses, apartments clean!!!! Make sure your house manager has plenty of cleaning and disinfectant supplies!!!
• Drink plenty of fluids (WATER!!!) Eat well!!! Get plenty of rest!!!

As many of you know, our Grand Arch Council is currently scheduled for July 15-19, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We have received numerous calls regarding our plans for the GAC, and whether we are cancelling the event. At present, there are no plans to do so. We anticipate being able to attend and enjoy fellowship with our brothers and conduct the business of our Fraternity in July.

Our facility contract for the GAC provides for a cancellation of our contract if the Center for Disease Control issues a Level 3 Travel Warning for the area. At this time, the Fraternity is operating under those parameters as the baseline for cancellation. If those parameters change, we will notify you of that contingency. Additionally, if the Grand Arch Council is cancelled because of a health event, it is anticipated all registration fees will be returned to our brothers and guests who pre-registered.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Fraternity has begun making contingency plans to hold a virtual Grand Arch Council to conduct some of the essential business of the Fraternity. No final decisions on what that will be, or what that may look like is known at this time, but it may involve Skype, WebX or some other similar platform which will comply with the governing documents of our organization, and will be communicated to the organization if and when it becomes necessary. If any brother has a particular expertise in this field, or has recently had to conduct a similar action either professionally or through another organization, please feel free to reach out to Headquarters and let us know you are interested in assisting.

Please remain vigilant and careful with your travels, communications and contact, and please do not hesitate to seek help or treatment if you are feeling ill. Persistence, caution and care will help temper the spread of the virus and will hopefully help reduce the more adverse effects and consequences from taking place.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at swgp@phikappapsi.com.

In the Bond,

David S. Moyer… Alabama ’91
67th SWGP of Phi Kappa Psi