by Champagne Morris, Will Stephens, and Brenda Sutherlin
This Spring semester at Calhoun is the third year of the pandemic, and the Coronavirus is still impacting students.
According to health officials, the same things people have been told to do to avoid getting sick are still recommended as the world fights the current Omicron variant.
According to the Public Health Officer of the Alabama Department of Public Health, the virus has had a terrible impact.
“The losses to date from COVID-19 are almost unimaginable. Alabama has now recorded more than 16,502 deaths from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with the number of deaths from the virus in 2021 (9,315) exceeding deaths in 2020 (7,187). Each of these deaths represents someone’s family member, friend, co-worker, or fellow citizen and we extend our deepest sympathy,” Dr. Scott Harris said.
The main ways to fight catching the virus remain the same: wearing masks and social distancing, getting vaccines, and getting tested.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) there are still ways to help protect people from this virus. The CDC website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html gives helpful recommendations.
Masking is still important to protect yourself and others. Mask types include cloth, paper, and masks that meet a standard such as the KN95.
Covid is spreading more rapidly than it has in the past, so students taking on campus classes this semester should wear masks inside any building on campus, and wash hands more frequently.
If students believe they are sick, they should stay home and get tested.
There are many options for testing. Go to your primary care doctor, or an urgent care near you.
If students are feeling sick, or have symptoms they should email their instructors and let them know that they will not be able to attend class on campus.
Instructors need to have an idea why your assignments might be late, or why you might not be able to complete an assignment by a due date.
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