Vanderbilt to restrict gatherings to 8 people in accordance with Nashville order

The university is updating its gathering policy following the Nov. 19 announcement that Nashville will restrict gatherings to 8 people. These changes will go into effect Monday, Nov. 23.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, photographed Aug. 29. (Hustler Multimedia/ Truman McDaniel)

By Avery Muir, Managing Editor

November 20, 2020

Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced yesterday that the city will restrict gatherings in public and private places to a maximum of eight people starting Monday, Nov. 23.

Vanderbilt will be updating their university protocols to limit in-person gatherings to eight people in accordance with the city’s new order, per an email Provost Susan Wente and Vice Chancellor Eric Kopstain sent to students on Nov. 20.

Undergraduate residential buildings will be closing for winter break on Nov. 22. In the email, Wente and Kopstain encouraged faculty, staff, postdocs and students remaining in Nashville to review the Gatherings policy and adhere to public health guidelines throughout the holiday season.

“Please take care of yourself, your friends, your family and your community during next week, and through the extended winter intersession,” the email reads. “Those who plan to gather with eight or fewer people at any point during this winter holiday season can take steps to protect themselves and others by following key CDC guidelines.”

Officials are implementing the “Rule of 8” as Nashville’s 14-day new case trend is increasing as of publication, with an average rate of 52.2 new cases per day per 100,000 residents and a case positivity rate of 9.5 percent, according to Nashville’s dashboard. Vanderbilt reported a case positivity rate of 1.70 percent and 117 positive cases for the week of Nov. 9-15.

“Restricting social contacts is critical to stopping the spread of COVID. Please reconsider any plans to gather with people outside of your household, including Thanksgiving,” Mayor Cooper tweeted Nov. 19.

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About the Contributor

Avery Muir, Former Managing Editor

Avery Muir ('21) is from Bethesda, MD. She studied political science and economics in the College of Arts and Science. Avery has been on staff since her first year at Vanderbilt, previously serving as a staff writer, Life Editor and then Copy Editor. In her free time, Avery likes drinking way too much coffee and exploring the Nashville food scene. You can reach her at [email protected].

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Truth

2 years ago

“A Los Angeles County supervisor dined outdoors last Tuesday just hours after voting to ban the practice over COVID-19 concerns, a new report said.”
“Earlier that day at a Board of Supervisors meeting, Kuehl called outdoor dining “a most dangerous situation” with regard to the possible spread of COVID-19.”
https://nypost.com/2020/12/01/la-politician-dines-outdoors-hours-after-vote-to-ban-the-practice/
Why do the pols think they can get away with this?!?!

FreeVandy

People should be allowed to make their own health choices. If me and 2000 other consenting adults are comfortable gathering without masks there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to. That is unless people possess the desire to control others. Democrats(aka the Vanderbilt administration and Nashville Mayor) fail to recognize the significance of personal choice in our country. Instead they bask in the sudden influx of power that comes with producing panic. WSJ admitted this morning that covid is not as lethal as we thought. I never thought I’d praise Florida Governor Ron Desantis, but he’s handled covid perfectly. Let localities make decisions, let college kids party, let people live their lives as they are comfortable doing. A large portion of the Vanderbilt student body adamantly disagrees with administrations policies regarding covid, they are just too scared to speak up. We need to fight the virus that is tyranny before it spreads out of control.

VU Alumnus

Amazing how these Democrats didn’t have a problem with mass gatherings when it suits them like protests, celebrating elections, getting haircuts or dinners in wine country. Do as I say but not as I do.