A change.org petition is calling for the University of Washington’s campus in Seattle to be closed because of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the city.

There have been six deaths in the Seattle area from COVID-19, the disease caused by the Wuhan novel coronavirus, and Gov. Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency in Washington.

The online petition was launched two days ago and has more than 15,000 signatures.

“We are asking Ana Mari Cauce, the president of the University of Washington Seattle, to close the campus to prevent the spreading of this virus, since this virus may lay dormant for two weeks or even more in some cases,” the petition states. “In classrooms, dining halls and during other crowded areas, the virus will inevitably infect people thus increasing the infection rate exponentially.”

The University of Washington’s website, updated Tuesday morning at 8:15 a.m., points out that “no members of the UW community have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus” and four have tested negative. The campus is operating as usual.

The availability of coronavirus testing has been an issue in Washington state.

“It’s only after a long, frustrating delay that we’re able to test patients,” Washington’s senior U.S. senator, Patty Murray, said this morning.

Cauce, the UW president, has said in a statement that the “university is working with public-health officials to be as prepared as possible to protect the health of the UW community.” The university is asking instructors to provide students with “maximum flexibility during this time of uncertainty.”

The University of Washington Medical Center has begun coronavirus testing.

On the change.org petition page, students are expressing their concerns and anxieties about the coronavirus’ spread.

“We do not sign this to get out of our school work,” wrote one student. “Online courses are workable and safe. We just want to be safe instead of putting ourselves and our parents in the position of choosing between our education and our health.”

-- Douglas Perry

@douglasmperry

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