By John Mineses
News Editor
FDU students, staff and faculty received an email update today regarding university COVID-19 protocols from Dr. Robert Pignatello.
Pignatello included in the email that large indoor social gatherings between students, faculty and staff where social distancing and masking cannot be maintained are now prohibited for the time being.
Previously, the FDU community had been doing well with low case numbers and lots of vigilance being practiced over the course of the first semester back on campus since 2020.
“I’m writing to inform you that the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in our region from holiday gatherings over Thanksgiving and from more people being indoors has impacted our community as well. Over the last couple of days we have experienced a sudden increase in positive cases on our campuses,” said Pignatello.
In the final stretch of the semester, Pignatello urges students to once again start taking mask and social distancing protocols seriously.
“This includes the requirement for wearing indoor masks fully covering the nose and mouth. While this does not apply when actively eating, that exception should not be used as a way to circumvent this requirement and common sense should be used,” Pignatello said.
Pignatello tells students to continue wearing masks covering the nose and mouth and taking proper precautions such as handwashing and social distancing when possible.
He also highly encourages students to receive their booster shots as soon as they are eligible. He emphasizes their availability and importance with the rise of cases concerning new variants of COVID-19.
Please follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Write to us at equinoxfdu@gmail.com.

Robert Pignatello gives the latest update on FDU’s health and safety status
Art by John Mineses