Editorial: Back to normal, for now
Welcome back, Coyotes. The 2021-22 school year is underway, and we are already seeing some changes around campus.
One week into the semester and students from previous years can see the difference on campus. There are so many students walking between classes, mask mandates and social distancing are not being enforced and most classes are back to fully in-person.
We get to re-meet people we met last year whose faces we never saw. Even just sitting next to a person in class is nice. There’s no more finding a spot in the Muenster University Center (MUC) or library to spend the rest of your day attending class over Zoom.
It’s a relief to be able to take a drink from your water bottle without taking off your mask, or to be able to see people’s smiling faces around campus again.
All these changes, this idea of getting back to normal, shouldn’t overshadow COVID-19, though. The pandemic is still ongoing. The Delta Variant is more contagious than previous strains and its here to stay.
While it may be fun to hang out with friends, go downtown or attend a sporting event or concert, we need to be cautious of COVID-19 and be smart as we go about a “back-to-normal” life.
The best way to protect yourself and your community is to get vaccinated. People without the vaccine are more likely to contract the virus which means they are more likely to spread it according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Receiving the vaccine is crucial to prevent a repeat of the 2020-2021 school year. The last thing people want to be going back to Zoom and wearing masks everywhere. USD hosted a vaccine drive last week to try and make the vaccine accessible to students and faculty on campus. Student Health is still offering vaccinations for free by appointment.
Even though vaccines are important, they don’t halt the spread or make you invincible to COVID-19 or the Delta Variant. If you are feeling ill, get tested.
USD is offering rapid COVID-19 tests in the MUC. The test will take approximately 15 minutes for results and is paid for by the South Dakota Department of Health. If you feel you might have contracted COVID-19 please use the resources available to you.
It’s also important for you to keep yourself updated on COVID-19. Keep an eye on the news, CDC and any other sources for any relevant information.
Everyone has different health issues. Some feel more comfortable wearing a mask, others might wish to stay six feet away. It’s important to be respectful of everyone’s health. It’s everyone’s own responsibility to keep themselves safe.
Most of all, it’s important to be aware of the threat COVID-19 still poses, but it’s a new school year; make sure to have some fun.
