By Emma Schultz
The emergence of the Omicron variant has caused COVID-19 cases to spike throughout the country. The city of Springfield has seen a serious rise in cases during the month of January alone. Between January 16, 2022 and January 22, 2022, 55.7% of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases affected those 30 years old and younger.
In light of the increase in confirmed positive cases in the college-age population several institutions across the country were forced to make policy changes to the spring semester, Western New England University included. In her “Welcome Back” to campus email Kathleen Noone, Director for the Center for Health and Wellness, informed students, staff, and faculty of the many policy updates put in place for the Spring 2022 semester .
Before returning to campus, both residential and commuter students were required to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test. This was done with the intention of stopping the spread of the virus when students and staff returned to the classroom and residence halls after the month-long winter break. Although active cases remain high, many did not have the chance to step back onto campus, lowering the spread due to contact on Western New England University property.
In order to learn, live, work, and research on Western New England University’s campus, every community member must receive a booster of the Pfizer, Moderna, or Janssen COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. The Center for Health and Wellness is offering free booster clinics every Friday for each of the vaccines to encourage vaccination after the required period of time following any of the three initial vaccine series.
As of Monday, January 24, 2022, no guests other than Western New England University students are permitted to enter the residence halls. This ban on guests is set to be reevaluated after the first four weeks of classes have concluded and may change based on the number of positive COVID-19 cases on campus. No further updates on this policy are available as the four week period has not passed.
The facemask policy in place is one students, staff, and faculty became familiar with during the Fall 2021 semester. Community members must continue to abide by the same facemask policy when in indoor settings except when eating and drinking which is not permitted within the classroom. Masks are required outdoors during large gatherings where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Quarantine policies have seen updates as well, in guidance with the official CDC recommendations. Quarantines and isolations may vary based on an individual’s vaccination status, the presence or absence of symptoms, and testing negative. The guidelines can be easily found on Western New England University’s website under the COVID-19 updates.
As per the CDC guidelines Noone informed the campus community that, “Tight-fitting 3-ply masks, double masking, or N95 or KN95 masks are strongly recommended.” To encourage the campus community to follow through with this recommendation Western New England University will be distributing two KN95 masks to each student, faculty, and staff. There are several ways for community members to receive their masks as per Noone’s January 27 email.
Although active COVID-19 cases remain high, Noone stated that this is to be expected due to the high positivity rate of the surrounding communities. “… It is a reminder for all to stay vigilant and continue to use the universal safety protocols; masking, handwashing, and getting your booster shot when eligible,” she stated in the Weekly COVID-19 Dashboard email from January 28. Noone remains hopeful despite the positive cases seen on campus, and reminds campus weekly, “We’re in this together, and together, we’ll keep each other safe.”
