A College Students Fight Against COVID-19

Huge decisions were made months ago at colleges around the country on whether to allow students back on campuses or to keep them at home. Some say it is crucial to allow students back, while others think students attending in-person classes puts faculty, families, and students at great risks.

Research has proven time and time again that students learn best when they are physically present in the classroom. It is easier to learn and participate when everyone is together in class. A University of Kansas Student, Isabella Del Muro, speaks out on her views of having students learning in the classroom again. “From the aspect of students with learning disabilities such as myself, being in person helps me be more attentive in my classes,” said Del Muro.

At the University of Kansas, there is constant testing for the virus, and students are required to social distance, wear masks, wash hands, and complete a personal health screening with the CVKey app every day. A Junior at KU, Kalyn Henderson, feels that students are following mask and social distancing guidelines, making her feel safe on and around campus.

Some greater issues with allowing students back on campus have to deal with the student's outside lives and how they live them. College students are unlikely to follow social distancing rules and are more prone to go against the guidelines on the weekends.

Another KU student, Maryn Brown, has conflicting views on students back on campus. “Allowing students back on campus is putting more and more people at risk” “It’s not just allowing students back on campus that's the problem, it's the unnecessary parties and gatherings that add to it,” said Brown.

The University Daily Kansan Newspaper comes out with an article every couple of days on COVID testing. In the September 29th article, written by Abby Shepherd, KU has reported 31 new cases of the virus. Reminding students and faculty to constantly follow the correct guidelines to help protect everyone from the virus.

Hannah Pawelski, A KU dancer, speaks out on how she feels about students being back on Jayhawk Boulevard and what steps the dancers have to take to social distance properly. “It is great to be back in person because of how hard it can be to learn online, but it is also very risky because no one knows how accurate the CVKey app is and there is no way to check if students are being honest.”

Even the dancers have to follow KU’s guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19. “As dancers during the pandemic, we have to wear goggles and masks during practices and events. We have to space out while learning routines and during workouts. We must enter and exit the buildings in a socially distanced fashion and clean any equipment used” said Pawelski.

It is important for students to be on campus, get back into old habits, feel comfortable, and focus on their studies, but it is also important to keep your friends, family, and yo

urself safe from the virus. As much as students want to go back to the way things were a year ago, they have to understand this has been and will be an ongoing battle if people don't take the right precautions.

College campuses can enforce the proper guidelines to keep everyone safe, but it all comes down to what the students decide to do when they leave campus for the weekends.