It is the start of the fall semester at Florida A&M University, and students are glad to be back. With classes in session, students can see or participate in different things on campus.
However, it may not all be gold for some students. This means that not all students are thrilled to be back on campus.
The reason is that once they stepped on campus, even though COVID-19 came in 2020, it is still an ongoing severe virus.
When walking around campus, many people are no longer wearing masks. Nobody keeps their distance, and everyone is super friendly to one another.
People may need to learn that although COVID-19 made a grand entrance in the past couple of years, there are still two brand-new variants of COVID-19 circulating in the U.S., including Florida.
And FAMU officials are very aware of COVID having its chance to turn back around and affect many students and staff on campus. The campus used to have a COVID-19 testing site on Wahnish Way, but it has closed down.
There is no specific reason why it is closed at this moment. FAMU health services offices hope the testing site will open back up so that anyone can get tested or vaccinated.
Miya St. Louis, a current student, shared her thoughts on how these two new variants have affected her since being on campus.
“I just tested positive for COVID; this is my first semester at FAMU. I went to TMH because I was not feeling well, and they told me I caught it,” St. Louis said.
“Now I cannot be on campus or go to class, and I feel sick. I know I caught it from someone on campus because that is where I am.”
This shows that students on campus wearing no masks may be in danger and at risk of catching this new virus without even realizing it.
St. Louis said she wondered what FAMU health services is going to do to make sure no other students get in contact with this virus.
Harriett Jennings, office manager in the health service office, offered some advice regarding COVID on campus.
“We are aware of the new virus that is happening; however, we do still want to keep this a safe and calm university for our staff and students,” Jennings said.
“New protocols are underway that we will announce to the public. Once that is out, students can get tested normally on campus,” she added.
This means there will be something that the health services office will do to make students more knowledgeable about the new COVID-19 variants and says to keep them safe while on campus.
Jennifer Charles, a FAMU student, highlighted how COVID-19 still plays a vital role on campus.
“COVID is still around, and I want to be a vocal point for students around campus to understand the seriousness of it. I want to keep people aware and give out masks around campus during Set Fridays,” Charles said.
“With students being cautious, I feel like there will be fewer cases of COVID on campus, and the health center office can team up with me and bring awareness to this virus that will not go away.”
The health services office wants to minimize the number of people who get sick, and with the help of students and staff following the proper protocols, this can get done.
If you are feeling sick, you owe it to yourself and your classmates to get tested.