Virus, schmirus! No cancellation of online classes

Yesterday, I commented to my online class students that

So, we realized one of the advantages of an online class: campus closure because of a virus does not affect this class in any way. Maybe you were thinking that is exactly the disadvantage, eh!
If a computer virus shuts down our computing systems down for a day or two, guess what? No class cancellations even then ..... :-)

And then this morning I am recipient of the following emails.
First from a colleague, who included a couple of us in the email to the dean and the division chair:

This is just to let you know that I am making back up plans in case of further WOU closures. I am informing students as to what they will need to do to take part or all of the rest of my courses in an online format. I emphasize that this would happen only in the event of further closures.

If I don't hear from you to the contrary, I will assume that this meets with your tentative approval, given the circumstances.

I would also like to volunteer my services to help out other faculty who may interested in forming such back up plans. While going online entails a tremendous amount of additional work for faculty, I see no other alternative in the scenario of additional closures. I also realize that some subjects are more suited to this form of learning than others. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.

I think we would be wise to have alternative plans as this flu has the potential to be extremely disruptive. The sooner such conversations happen, the better.

To which the dean replies:

I’m supportive of your planning…indeed, the more that faculty utilize web-based course management assistance (Moodle, et al.) the more seamless a campus closure/reopening would be.

I am glad that such sentiments are being expressed in different arenas, in support of online teaching and learning. But, and I know I will be repeating this for the gazillionth time, like here, I don't see any systematic campus conversations on online teaching and learning. Our task force has a limited charter, and maybe for all the right reasons. However, at some point though we will have to become obsolete .... I mean the task force, and not the individuals :-)

Happy Cinco de Mayo; isn't it awesome that it always falls on the 5th of May? ha ha ha