Disability Caucus Statement on COVID-19
The GEO Disability Caucus urges the university to reimplement a mask mandate in all indoor campus facilities. As COVID-19 positive test results rise across the country and on campus—including that of University of Illinois President Tim Killeen in spite of having his whole vaccine series and booster shots—a mask mandate inside and beyond the classroom will keep our campus community safe. This is especially important for campus community members who are d/Disabled, including those who are immunocompromised and have other underlying risk factors.
As of April 25, 2022, the current campus 7-day positivity rate is 3.22%, and there have been 1,563 positive cases on campus during the month of April. Due to rising cases and the science behind mask wearing showing it to be an effective method to prevent COVID-19 infection, including research conducted by University of Illinois faculty, the GEO Disability Caucus encourages the university to reinstate the mask mandate in all indoor campus facilities.
The Graduate Employees’ Organization, AFT/IFT Local 6300, AFL-CIO, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, represents approximately 2,700 Teaching and Graduate Assistants on the UIUC Campus. In November 2009 and in February 2018, over 1,000 GEO members and allies participated in a strike to secure a fair contract and more accessible UIUC campus. With an active presence in the community, the GEO continues to work for high-quality and accessible public education in Illinois.
For more information, please contact geo@uigeo.org. More information can also be found on GEO’s website at www.uiucgeo.org.
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