Dear faculty, staff, and students:
Early this morning, we awoke to the shocking news that both President and Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19. This news has reverberated around the World early this morning.
I would like to ask each of you to take a few moments this morning to join me in praying for the health of the President and First Lady as well as all others across the World who are suffering from this novel coronavirus.
As you can see, this disease knows no boundaries, is highly contagious, knows no boundaries, does not care about politics, social status, age, or geography and it is very dangerous. Every part of Montana has witnessed significant increases in the level of positivity with COVID-19 over the past two weeks. Lewis and Clark County where Helena is located has also witnessed an uptick in numbers of the virus. Since September 26, Montana has been averaging 320 new cases per day, including the record 429 yesterday.
Saints, we have created a bubble on our campus with zero active cases on our campus as of yesterday. This could change overnight as you can see from the Montana DPHHS website showing all schools in Montana.
Saints, your actions and decisions will make the difference whether or not Carroll remains open in-person the rest of this semester and next spring. Please do not take any risks, wear your masks at the required times when you are inside or outside near other people, hold each other accountable, say “NO” to invitations to attend parties or accept invitations which involve large groups of people.
Finally, we are Saints and please join me this morning in praying for the health and recovery of the President, First Lady, and every single person in our community, state, nation, and World who is dealing with this disease. Victoria and I learned yesterday that we lost our first family member to COVID-19. Friends, this is real and we must be vigilant about it.
Thank you and please know that each of you this day are in both my prayers and Victoria’s prayers.
Sincerely,
John E. Cech, Ph.D.
President