MMA’s public health protocols are subject to change if the need arises.

On Friday, March 1, 2024, the CDC released updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV.

Accordingly, MMA has updated our institutional approach to mirror the CDC.  Persons experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness such as for COVID-19, flu, or RSV illness or testing positive for COVID-19 will no longer need to isolate but should follow the guidance below. 

 Students should inform their faculty if they are sick & unable to attend class. Students should seek support and guidance from health services if necessary. Testing is no longer required nor provided by the Academy.  Students wishing to be tested should purchase their own self tests or be tested at a local pharmacy, walk-in care or hospital. Faculty should report through their normal process if they need to cancel classes. Staff should follow their normal procedure for notifying their supervisor if they are unable to come to campus.

UPDATED CDC GUIDANCE:

When people get sick with a respiratory virus, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others.

• You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
• • Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
  • You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
• When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
  • Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
  • If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.

As part of the guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies:

• Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
• Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.