Amid Wildfire Smoke Alert, Provost Urges Limiting Outdoor Activity, Keeping Doors and Windows Shut
Senior Vice President and Provost Jennifer King Rice sent the following email to the university community today:
Across Maryland, we are experiencing poor outside air quality due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. There is currently an air quality alert for Maryland, meaning the conditions outdoors are deemed unhealthy. Young children, older adults, and people with respiratory problems such as asthma or heart conditions should avoid outdoor exertion. We urge people with special health conditions to take precautions.
We care about the health and well-being of our community. Please keep your health top of mind, monitor conditions, stay in touch with your instructor or supervisor and consider the following guidance:
- Limit outdoor activity;
- Keep exterior doors and windows closed in all buildings;
- Consider wearing an N95 mask when you are outside; and
- Contact the Facilities Management customer response center (301.405.2222) if you have concerns about indoor air quality.
For members of our community with special health conditions or who are immunocompromised, consult with your physician on how to best support your individual health.
Additional resources regarding air quality are available at airnow.gov.
As we see and smell the smoke from wildfires hundreds of miles away, we acknowledge that it is a distressing time, and our work to tackle the grand challenge of climate change feels more urgent than ever. We appreciate all the actions that are being taken to look out for your fellow Terrapins, as we continue to monitor the situation with guidance from county and state health departments. Stay healthy, Terps.
Sincerely,
Jennifer King Rice
Senior Vice President and Provost
She/Her/Hers