4 Our Community


Follow these four steps to protect yourself and those around you:

  1. Wash or Sanitize Your Hands
  2. Wear a Face Covering
  3. Practice Physical Distancing
  4. Take Care of Yourself and Others

Wash or Sanitize Your Hands


Poster: Wash or Sanitize Your Hands (PDF)

94% of MIT graduate students living in campus housing report washing or sanitizing their hands after being in shared areas or after returning from outside the building.*

* Data from April-May 2020 Housing Experience Survey. Respondents reported washing or sanitizing their hands always or most of the time in the past two weeks.

Hand Washing Tips
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you’ve been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Wear a Face Covering


Poster: Wear a Face Covering (PDF)

Face coverings are required in the following situations:*

  • Prior to entering any common area within graduate housing (Graduate Housing Policies and Guidelines)
  • In all public places and businesses (Emergency Order issued by the City of Cambridge)

* Through September 22, face coverings may be temporarily removed while outdoors when a physical distance of at least six feet from others can be maintained at all times. This applies to all residential outdoor spaces, including outdoor seating areas, courtyards, playgrounds, and roof decks.

For housing policy updates, refer to the Graduate Emergency Housing Policies & Guidelines.

Face Covering Tips
from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a clean cloth face covering when around others.
  • You can spread viral particles to others even if you don’t feel sick. Face coverings can help protect others if you’re infected.
  • Continue to keep about 6 feet (or about 2 meters) between yourself and others. Face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing.

Practice Physical Distancing


Poster: Practice Physical Distancing (PDF)

92% of MIT graduate students living in campus housing report practicing physical distancing.*

* Data from April-May 2020 Housing Experience Survey. Respondents reported practicing physical distancing always or most of the time in the past two weeks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends staying at least 6 ft (2m) away from others to slow the spread of COVID-19. Why?

  • The virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of those nearby or can be inhaled into the lungs.
  • COVID-19 can spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

Take Care of Yourself and Others


Poster: Take Care of Yourself and Others (PDF)

It’s normal to feel stressed during these challenging times. Which is why it’s important to prioritize your wellbeing, now more than ever. Here are some ideas from other MIT graduate students:

Care for Your Mind

  • Try out a mindfulness app
  • Schedule a virtual counseling session
  • Spend time outside in nature

Care for Your Body

  • Sign up for online workout classes
  • Get plenty of sleep and eat regularly
  • Take frequent breaks to stretch and move around

Stay Connected

  • Schedule regular virtual activities, like:
    • Netflix watch parties
    • Trivia nights
    • Book clubs
  • Call or video chat with friends and loved ones

Find Purpose

  • Get involved in anti-racism and diversity initiatives
  • Engage with religious/spiritual community virtually

Find more support resources on our Staying Well page.