Munson Healthcare has enacted visitor restrictions at its facilities in the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including banning visitors outright at its long-term care facilities. Meanwhile, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University, and Central Michigan University announced Wednesday they are moving to online classes to slow the spread of the disease, and President Donald Trump announced several significant national measures to combat COVID-19.

According to a release posted Wednesday, Munson is not allowing any visitors to enter long-term care facilities. "Patients in long-term care facilities/nursing homes/assisted living are among the most vulnerable," the statement reads. "We understand that connecting with family members is incredibly important, and there are a variety of other ways you might consider connecting with them. These may include telephone, email, text, or through Skype or Facebook. Please contact the facility if special circumstances are required."

For individuals entering Munson Healthcare hospitals and emergency rooms, the following restrictions are in place:

> Anyone who is sick or ill is banned from entering the facility except to seek care for their illness
> A maximum of two people can enter the facility at a time to visit or accompany a patient
> No one under the age of 18 can enter the facility except to seek care for themselves (speak with a nurse or receptionist about exceptions and special circumstances)
> No one can visit patients who has a confirmed or possible case of COVID-19. This includes patients who are awaiting COVID-19 test results from a local health department, State of Michigan, and CDC.

For individuals entering Munson Healthcare pharmacies and homecare/home medical equipment locations, the following restrictions are in place:

Customers who have fever, dry cough, and/or shortness of breath; recent close contact with a coronavirus patient, or travel to an area where COVID-19 is active; or may have been exposed to coronavirus should consider whether their medication, equipment, or supplies or services need is urgent.

> If the need is not urgent: Stay home and rest, and call a healthcare provider if you believe you need to be seen. Call from home and Munson can support your medication/supply needs.
> If the need is urgent: Enter, but as soon as you enter, tell the person at the front desk that you may have coronavirus, so you can be provided a mask and proper isolation.

For individuals entering Munson Healthcare clinics, the following restrictions are in place:

> People accompanying a patient should be in good health; if a companion is feeling ill or sick, they should not enter the facility
> Munson prefers patients enter the facility with a maximum of two people
> Munson strongly discourages any people under the age of 18 from accompanying a patient. Pediatric patients should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

At all Munson facilities, every individual must wash hands or use alcohol sanitizer before and after leaving any rooms.

College Changes
In addition to Munson's visitor restrictions, numerous students from the Grand Traverse region are facing disruptions in their school schedules after at three least universities decided to move their classes online. As of noon Wednesday, Michigan State University suspended face-to-face instruction and moved all coursework to virtual instruction. The suspension will last until April 20. Students who can return to their permanent place of residence are encouraged to do so. Students unable to go home will be granted continued access to their residence halls and dining facilities. All university-sponsored international travel and non-essential domestic travel is suspended until April 20.

Central Michigan University, which is on spring break this week, will move to online classes at the end of spring break starting Monday and continuing through March 20. Students are encouraged to not return to campus after spring break. A decision regarding classes for the following week will be made by Thursday, March 19 at 4pm. Campus will remain open, but residence halls will be closed to everyone but international students and student athletes. No new campus events will be scheduled through March 31.

Michigan Technological University is also suspending face-to-face instruction beginning March 16 and continuing through at least April 17. Classes will continue virtually during that time. All international university-sponsored travel scheduled between now and April 17 has been canceled.

National News
Finally, on a national front, President Donald Trump addressed the country Wednesday night and announced he was pursuing several measures to slow the spread of coronavirus. Among those is enacting a 30-day ban on all travel from Europe to the U.S., with the exception of the U.K. The 30-day ban applies only to foreign nationals, not to legal permanent U.S. residents. Trump also said he was working with Congress to pass economic relief measures and would be taking emergency action to ensure individuals could stay home if sick or quarantined. The president added that insurance companies had agreed to waive co-payments for coronavirus testing.

Several major national events, particularly sporting events, have also been impacted by the virus. The NBA announced Wednesday night it was suspending its season indefinitely after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for COVID-19. The NCAA also announced Wednesday its men's and women's basketball tournaments will be played in arenas without fans. Festivals including SXSW and Coachella have already been canceled or postponed for 2020 due to the disease.