How do you communicate to thousands of students about the situation that is COVID-19, a situation that seems to change by the minute?

It’s a good thing we live in an online world.

Northern Michigan University has been communicating to its student body the latest information at www.nmu.edu/corvid, which is updated frequently.

In Monday’s update, President Fritz Erickson reassured the students, faculty and staff, telling them to “take a breath and stay calm” following Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order.

“As a university, we can do this,” Erickson said.

NMU employees were told that those who could work remotely should work with supervisors to prepare for the transition, and employees who could not work in this way would hear from their supervisors about “potential redeployment.”

Information also was given regarding residence halls and apartments, plus there was a list of Northern facilities that remain open.

Students were to receive a detailed email that addresses student-only issues, while employees were to receive information by division, department and employee group as it becomes available.

“I know the level of mitigation can be overwhelming to consider,” Erickson said. “I am confident that the NMU community can handle these changes with the same level of determination and care we’ve exhibited to get through the past few weeks.”

Erickson acknowledged there are “a million other questions and details” to cover.

That’s for sure. But we believe NMU is staying ahead of what can be hoped is a “flattened curve,” to use the coronavirus lexicon. For example, it held a virtual town hall on Friday to educate students and the community on measures NMU is taking during the outbreak.

As with everyone, safety is the top priority.

These are scary times for everybody, and even if an individual doesn’t attend NMU, it’s good to know students are being kept in the loop. After all, they’re the community too.