'My School Is Doing All They Can': How Colleges And Students Are Responding To Coronavirus

By De Elizabeth


News about the newly identified coronavirus, COVID-19, is evolving rapidly, and in case you feel overwhelmed by separating the facts from panic, you’re not alone. The virus was first reported in Wuhan, China, in early January, and people with the virus have since been identified in dozens of countries globally, including the United States. Because the collection of cases continue to grow, so does concern about how easily the virus usually spread, especially among those who are most susceptible to disease and complications.


The Centers for Infection Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned the public that “community spread” of COVID-19 is likely expected, adding in a February 25 press conference: “It's not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, nevertheless rather more of a question of exactly when this will happen and why several people in this nation will have severe illness.”


An inevitability like that can seem scary, particularly for people living in closesly knit communities, like a college campus. Some of the largest U.S. Universities have tens of thousands of students enrolled at a time, several of whom reside in dorms with one or more roommates and attend large, lecture-style classes. Those circumstances raise some major questions: What would happen in the case of a campus COVID-19 outbreak? And, in the meantime, how should students keep themselves and others healthy?


Fortunately, several schools have already implemented steps to keep their communities safe and prepare for possible disruption to day-to-day life. MTV News spoke with infectious infection experts, and also a number of students, to learn how students can optimize their health, supporter for the wellbeing of others, and stay informed.


Let’s begin with some basics.


On March 4, the World Health Business (WHO) reported that the variety of global COVID-19 cases had exceeded 93,000, with over 100 confirmed cases in the U.S. At least 11 people in the U.S. Have died as a result of COVID-19; 10 deaths occurred in Washington state, with the 11th in California. Yet, the CDC maintains that the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the U.S. Still remains low.


Symptoms of COVID-19 can length from mild, cold-like indications to severe respiratory illness, including fever, a cough, and shortness of breath. The virus is mainly spread person-to-person, by means of the respiratory droplets that are produced any time an infected person coughs or sneezes. While experts mention that most cases are not life-threatening, WHO reports that COVID-19 can be particularly harmful for elderly people, and also those with pre-existing medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart infection, cancer, or diabetes. The global mortality rate is now 3.4% — higher than the seasonal flu although lower than other major viruses like SARS or ebola. Although, scientists have noted that such statistics isn't entirely conclusive, as it doesn’t account for infected people with minor or no indications who have not been tested (and could be expected to recover).


There are many ways to protect your health.


The CDC has published a list of everyday preventive actions that can assist avoid the spread of COVID-19. In case could, stay house in the event you feel sick, avoid touching your face, avoid close contact with people who are sick, use a disinfectant on frequently touched household objects, and wash your hands thoroughly and often — 20 seconds at a time, with soap and water. (The CDC even has a full guide all about handwashing, as it is one of the greatest ways to prevent the spread of illness in general.)


Dr. Shira Doron, an epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, emphasizes that practicing frequent hand hygiene is among one of the most crucial things a person can do, especially soon after touching things in public. “Keeping your hands tidy is critical both for your own health and the health of others,” she adds.


And Dr. Emily Hyle, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and attending physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, adds that keeping your hands away from your face, however difficult that might be, is seriously key. “Try very hard to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth,” she says, adding: “A good rule of thumb is to keep your hands below your shoulders.”


Moreover, the CDC and WHO have published extensive travel guides, reflecting the risk assessment for various parts of the world. Those ideas shouldn’t come at the expense of generic usual courtesy, though: No matter what the travel advisory might indicate, there really is never an excuse to be racist or xenophobic.


While considering your own health is critical, it’s just as critical to supporter for the health of these around you.


Dr. Hyle stresses the significance of staying house once feeling sick, even and especially in the event you aren’t generally prone to disease yourself. For students, she suggests: “Consider talking in advance with teachers about how you may have the ability to still participate in class from home,” adding that it’s critical to avoid close contact with elderly folks or anyone you know that’s immunosuppressed.


According to Dr. Doron, “a distance of six feet is ideal” in the event you aren’t able to avoid being in the same room with other people.


in the event you begin feeling sick, and in the event suspect you may have COVID-19, the CDC recommends you call ahead to your health care provider to decide in the event you need to be tested for the virus. (Some states have implemented COVID-19 hotlines, however it’s key to remember that these phone numbers can rapidly become overloaded.)


“It’s critical to rest and stay hydrated — and to wash your hands frequently to avoid transmitting the virus to others, like roommates,” Dr. Hyle says, explaining that, up until testing is becoming more widely accessible, it’s complicated to distinguish COVID-19 from other illnesses like the cold or the flu. “Many people will have the ability to reside at residence to recover, however some might need to go to hospital for extra cooperative care,” she adds. “Find out who you must call locally, like student health services … especially in the event you develop fever or shortness of breath.”


And right now, a note on those face masks.


The CDC does not recommend that healthy people buy masks to protect themselves from COVID-19; nevertheless, masks can be advantageous to those who are already sick, and so they are critical for health workers and caregivers. Last month, U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams even urged people by way of the a tweet to stop purchasing face masks, noting that a shortage could pose a serious risk to the public. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus recently reported that the global offer of protective gear is speedily depleting, adding at a media briefing on March 3: “We can’t stop COVID-19 without protecting our health workers.”


Colleges and universities are already springing into action.


Schools are urging students to follow the CDC’s recommendations for preventing disease, while also adding specific measures to prevent an outbreak on campus. University of Connecticut recently reported that they could be canceling certain study abroad programs, and the school has asked any student returning from such countries to abide by the CDC’s recommendation for a 14-day self-quarantine. Several institutions, like the University of Southern California and the University of Miami, have strongly cautioned students who might have plans to travel over spring break, while schools in some countries, like Italy and South Korea, have closed down entirely.


In an email to MTV News, a representative from Boston University (BU) noted that the school has put with each other a website to help students, faculty, and families stay informed amid the developing news. (Many other schools have done the same.) BU’s site includes a couple of FAQ pages, covering topics like travel, study abroad, and the impact on campus life. The school also has a plan for if the outbreak intensifies, writing on their website: “We will continue to monitor the severity of the outbreak and the impact on our student community. Our hope is that courses will not be interrupted, although we are actively exploring the possibility of providing remote access to existing courses. The health and well-being of the community is our first priority, so if we reach a point where students cannot safely physically attend classes, course expectations could be modified accordingly.”


Nick Wasmundt, a third-year student at Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins tells MTV News that students acquired official school emails about the virus. Like others, CSU also has an informative website with up-to-date facts about the virus.


Nevertheless some faculty are taking additional safety measures, despite the fact that Colorado hasn't seen any positive cases of COVID-19 however. “I had a professor email the class,” Wasmundt says. “As a precaution, he moved our class, which meets in a [traditional] classroom setting and also a computer lab, to an online delivery fashion for the last of the semester. The professor stated that labs were a productive way for viruses to spread, and he wanted to avoid that.” A spokesperson for CSU rejected to comment, nevertheless directed MTV News to its planning websites.


Another thing schools want their students to know? COVID-19 is no excuse for racism.


In the wake of COVID-19, there have been numerous reports of racist and xenophobic behavior directed at Asian people, and then some schools are taking steps to combat such actions on their own campuses. “In recent weeks, we’ve seen cases across the nation and on one of our own campuses in which people of Asian descent have been mistreated,” Washington State University (WSU) wrote in a statement on their website. “This behavior isn't acceptable. At WSU, we strive to cultivate and preserve welcoming and inclusive campus communities for all students, faculty and personnel, and stand against discrimination, oppression and harassment.” MTV News has reached out to WSU for further specifics on how the school plans to combat such racism.


Equally, UCLA has reminded its community: “We must not stigmatize anyone in our community based on national origin. Someone who has a cough or a fever does not necessarily have coronavirus.” The CDC has also published specifics about stigma and COVID-19, writing: “Stigma hurts each person by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people as a substitute opposed to the infection that is causing the problem.”


How are students feeling about all of this?


As a first year student at Western Washington University (WWU) in Bellingham, Siobhan Keenan is growing more and more worried. While there aren’t any announced cases near her campus, she tells MTV News that she has companions and family member living near Seattle and Federal Way, where positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed.


“It makes me very nervous,” she says. “I especially worry about companions who … catch things conveniently. I worry about my education — what are we all supposed to do if going to class becomes unsafe?” (WWU’s website notes that school officials are working on contingency plans in the scenario of a “potentially disruptive situation,” writing: “This includes … assessing readiness to conduct class activities online, should that be required, and ensuring students and personnel who are ill can be flawlessly supported so they can stay house and recover.”)


Even with plans in place, Siobhan finds it hard to quell her fears. “It makes me anxious for my companions and family member across Washington, [especially] those who are just several degrees of separation from someone sick,” she says. “I feel powerless because I’m a hundred miles away from them. I attempt to check in, stay updated, wash my hands, and keep healthy myself.”


Morgan C. Mullings, a senior at St. John’s University in Queens, NY,  feels equally, telling MTV News she’s combatting her concerns by staying as informed as possible. “People take their safety for granted, and that can result in the virus spreading more,” she says, emphasizing the significance of sharing accurate intelligence, rather than headlines seemingly preying on fear. “The only weapon I have to keep myself safe is knowledge, and I don't want anyone to take that away from me.”


Likewise, Wasmundt is attempting to do his best with the facts accessible to him, noting that he’s been extra-conscious about hand washing. “Whenever I go into the office for work, I ensure to tidy and sanitize my space before and right after I leave,” he says. “I think my school is doing all they can do at this point. They've assembled a task force to keep track of what is happening, plan for various scenarios, and find a way to keep students healthy and safe.”


While the constant news cycle can be overwhelming, it’s crucial not to panic. 


“It’s a tough time that can feel very uncertain,” Dr. Hyle says. “But we are learning more about COVID-19 each day — how best to test for it, treat it, and prevent it.”


Equally, Dr. Doron wants people to remember that the current intelligence — which is consistently updating — doesn’t necessarily resemble the reality. “In the early stages of an outbreak of a new pathogen, death rates often appear higher than they ultimately turn out to be,” she says. “Once you account for people with mild illness who never get tested, those rates come down. The danger involving this virus might just be being not much different from that of influenza, which is dangerous, although something we are accustomed to. There really is no reason to panic.”


It’s also OK to take a break from the news if you’re finding yourself feeling more and more worried. “For anyone feeling anxious or overwhelmed, reach out to companions or family member for support and to mental health services that are obtainable on campus,” Dr. Hyle advises.


Ultimately, statistics and education is our best line of defense; the more we know, the more we can protect ourselves and each other. “There is a little bit of fear in everyone’s mind,” Wasmundt says. “But I feel that we are all in this boat together.”