Back in March our state closed due to COVID-19 and as such many students had to finish the semester from home. Interestingly enough it was not a pandemic at that time. Since March though, we’ve all been sheltering from home, keeping our safe social distance, wearing masks, etc. Fast forward, the virus has become a pandemic and continues to infect and kill thousands daily. Now it’s time for the fall semester and the students are returning to college campuses all across the country.
It was reported four days ago by the New York Times that since late July there have been 25,000+ students infected on 750+ college campuses in the US. Simply put this virus has really messed up everything. Students all over the world have had to make the choice to stay home or return back to college.
We have two daughters in college; one in her first year of medical school and the other in her 3rd year of undergrad. They both are back at college for the fall semester. These were tough decisions for them too as it was for many I’m sure.
Colleges are taking measures to keep the students safe. Though the students have returned to campus they are offered online classes and in person classes. Teachers are teaching from behind Plexiglas for their protection. Self-serve bars in the cafeterias have been replaced with servers. Those are just a few of the safe practices that have been put in place.
The best things we can do as parents is pray for their safety and arm our children with knowledge to keep them safe. Following are tips that everyone, but especially students, can use on campus to keep themselves safe.
Wear masks at all times
Practice social distancing no matter how tempting it is to hang out and party with your friends
Forgo all handshakes
Wash your hands with an antibacterial soap for at least 60 seconds or as long as it takes for you to sing happy birthday twice
Keep your hands away from your face
Use hand sanitizers
Keep your personal items in a shower caddy to keep your personal items from possible contaminated surfaces
Keep plenty of disinfectant sprays and wipes to keep your spaces and things clean
If you feel ill or out of sorts, don’t hesitate to contact the infirmary
Parents talk to your children daily and remind them to practice these and any other safe practices. Listen to them as this can be a stressful time for them. I’ve heard from a few students that there is quite a bit of peer pressure to socialize, to not wear masks and to not social distance. Even though the data shows otherwise, many of our children feel that they can’t and won’t be impacted by COVID-19. It is up to us to assure them that this is real and can impact them. Let your student know that they can impact their families should they unknowingly bring the virus home. We here at Earrings Off strongly believe that when we know better, we do better. Well, now you know!
Teresa