COVID-19 FAQs

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19.

Information for UWM students, faculty and staff

COVID-19 Testing for UWM

UWM Students and Staff

I’m a student at UWM. Can I get tested on campus?

I work at UWM. Can I get tested on campus for COVID-19? 

I’m looking for information on obtaining a vaccine.

Milwaukee

Students who have COVID-19 symptoms or primary exposure should call The Norris Health Center at 414-229-4716, and the center will schedule a free PCR test for them.

Students who do not have COVID-19 symptoms should get tested in the UWM Student Union Ballroom from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. They must complete a screening form before going to the testing site. At the bottom of the screening form, there is a link to make an appointment. Health officials recommended completing the screening form no more than 48 hours before being tested.

For complete details, visit I’m a student at UWM. Can I get tested on campus?

Waukesha and Washington County

Rapid-results testing for students is being done at the UWM at Waukesha Field House and UWM at Washington County gymnasium on a rotating schedule. All students must make an appointment at www.doineedacovid19test.com. Students who develop COVID-19 symptoms should not wait for an appointment and should instead get tested as soon as possible, whether that is on campus, at a community site or with their personal health care provider.

For complete details, visit I’m a student at UWM. Can I get tested on campus?

To help maintain a safe environment among the UWM community, the University is implementing additional testing requirements for the Spring 2021 semester.

Remember: Panthers Protect Panthers!

At-Home Collection Kit

The State of Wisconsin now provides a no cost at home test kit option for COVID-19. For more information and to request your kit, visit Department of Health Service At-Home Collection Kit.

updated 04/03/2021
COVID-19 Vaccination appointment information

Starting April 5, 2021, the COVID-19 vaccine eligibility opens up to everyone in Wisconsin age 16 and older, including UWM students.

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to get vaccinated when they become eligible, as it is the best way to protect your health and help stop the pandemic.

If you live on or near the Milwaukee campus, make an appointment to get vaccinated at the clinic in the Student Union.

If you live elsewhere, UWM put together a list of resources to help find your shot at a clinic near you.

Panthers Protect Panthers! Please keep wearing masks, washing your hands, social distancing and, if you meet the criteria, getting tested regularly.
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COVID-19 General Information

COVID-19 Information
For UWM specific information please visit:
Local, state, national and worldwide information can be found by visiting:
Looking for vaccine information? Please visit:
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COVID-19 Vaccine information

CURRENT VACCINE INFORMATION

Vaccine information is constantly being updated.  For the most current information, please visit:

Below are recent posts from Dear Pandemic in which they answered questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

Also visit the Dear Pandemic website and search the category vaccine for more answers to related questions:

updated 05/03/2021
COVID-19 vs the flu

The CDC recommends an annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine (IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4) with no preference expressed for any one vaccine over another.

Visit the CDC FAQ Flu website for more information.

Dear Pandemic reminds us to use all our SMARTS:

↔️Space: Keep your distance from other people.

😷Masks: Keep your nose + mouth covered with a mask that fits well.

💨Air: Keep it fresh.

🏠Restrict: Keep your circle small.

🕑Time: Keep your interactions brief.

💉Shots: Get your vaccine when it’s your turn!

Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay flu free.

Below are recent posts from Dear Pandemic in which they have answered questions about the flu but also visit Dear Pandemic and search the category flu for more answers to related questions:

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Face masks

The CDC recommends people wear face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Visit the CDC’s site on cloth face cover guidances for more information.

Dear Pandemic reminds us features of effective masking are FILTERING and FIT.

Below are recent posts from Dear Pandemic in which they have answered questions about masks. Also visit the Dear Pandemic website and search category masks for more answers to related questions.

updated 05/02/2021
Using your SMARTS while Social Distancing

Social distancing is keeping a safe space between you and people who are not members of your household.

For the most up-to-date information on social distancing guidelines visit the CDC’s social distancing website and remember: keep a safe distance to slow the spread.

Dear Pandemic reminds us to use all our SMARTS:
↔️Space: Keep your distance from other people.
😷Masks: Keep your nose + mouth covered with a mask that fits well.
💨Air: Keep it fresh.
🏠Restrict: Keep your circle small.
🕑Time: Keep your interactions brief.
💉Shots: Get your vaccine when it’s your turn!

Below are recent posts from Dear Pandemic in which they have answered questions about social distancing but also visit Dear Pandemic for more answers to related questions:

updated 05/02/2021

COVID-19 Community Information

COVID-19 Testing for the community

Rapid-results testing for community members of the UWM campuses has ended.

Members of the public are encouraged to use community testing sites in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Community testing at UWM at Washington County is available one day per week.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services also provides updates on COVID-19 Community Testing Sites.

The State of Wisconsin now provides a no cost at home test kit option for COVID-19. For more information and to request your kit, visit Department of Health Service At-Home Collection Kit.

updated 04/03/2021
Mask ordinance information

Do I need to wear a mask and maintain social distancing on campus?

Everyone on all UWM campuses is required to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing whenever possible. Masks are required when indoors, except when in residence hall rooms or private offices. Masks are also required outdoors in situations when 6 feet of social distancing cannot be maintained.

Mask mandates may vary by jurisdiction and can change without notice, be sure to consult your local municipality.

For the most up-to-date information regarding State of Wisconsin mandates, visit WDHS COVID-19: Wear a Mask.

For the most up-to-date information regarding City of Milwaukee mandates, visit City of Milwaukee mask ordinance.

To find out how and where to get a free face mask in Milwaukee, visit the City of Milwaukee Health Department website COVID-19 Free Mask Sites.

To learn more about wearing face masks, please visit face masks.

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WI Exposure Notification app and contact tracing
Wisconsin Department of Human Services has released WI Exposure Notification contact tracing app, available for both Apple and Android smartphones.

For additional information on contact tracing please visit:

updated 04/03/2021

COVID-19 Science and Research

Case fatality rate
Case fatality rate is used by epidemiologists, for many types of diseases, to measure the severity of a disease, and prognosis.  Using cancer as an example, it is the proportion of people who died of cancer x in 2000 among all individuals diagnosed with cancer x in 2000.

UWM Zilber Public Health Student, Kyla Quigley explains the estimation nicely: Public Health Minute: Case Fatality Rate, presented by Kyla Quigley, July 6, 2020

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Herd immunity
For more information on herd immunity, visit the WHO’s page Herd immunity, lockdowns and COVID-19 

Dear Pandemic recently answered questions regarding herd immunity:

Also visit the Dear Pandemic website and search the category herd immunity for more answers to related questions.

updated 05/03/2021