As a historic fall semester comes to an interesting finish, the question of what to do for the spring semester remains.
Miraculously, the University of Idaho avoided a major outbreak. I’m proud of that—and quite frankly, really impressed. We all witnessed colleges across the nation attempt what UI did and fail nearly a month into the process. What we managed to accomplish should be celebrated.
However, this semester was nothing like years past. Students had to adjust to online and HyFlex class schedules. Students had cope with the loss of athletic games and events. Homecoming wasn’t the same. Greek Week isn’t the same. Everything was different from how it’s always been in many ways. How are we supposed to move on in the spring?
Removing the restrictions and guidelines in place now isn’t the right answer. Holding mass gatherings isn’t a smart idea. Yes, we have shown progress in lowering the numbers and keeping the cases under control, but that doesn’t mean we can let go of our bearings. Staying in control will result in long term success.
To assume the precautions of COVID-19 disappear with the new year is ignorant. A new semester doesn’t change the fact of the matter—COVID-19 exists, it still gets people sick and it still kills people. That being said, Spring 2021 will be a wonderful time for UI to begin procedures to fully reopen.
Assuming vaccine and treatment development begin to reach their conclusions next semester, I theorize larger events will be easier to hold, mask guidelines will become looser and classes may return to normal variations. All these changes, however, are gradual.
Gradual changes are the key to getting through this and back to a normal life. The whole reason we were able to remain relatively COVID-19 free this semester, compared to other places, is luck and constant moderation. When cases spiked slightly, high-risk areas were tested. When houses had outbreaks, they were shut down and quarantined. The same methodology should be put in place this spring.
Hopefully we achieve a COVID-19 free bubble around Moscow after consistent due diligence. A persistent issue is the amount of traveling people do, especially during academic breaks like spring break.
Not much of everyday life should or will change during the spring semester, but if anything causes a major outbreak it will be the result of people travelling during spring vacation.
I know that we, as a student body, will develop a false sense of security if we remain relatively COVID-19 free during January and February. I urge you not to act in haste and ruin all the work put in keeping campus safe. If we keep it safe, we can reevaluate the restrictions in place. Don’t let spring break ruin all we have built up.
I recognize no one wants to do this anymore. I’m sure you all are over it. I’m over it. The faculty are probably over it. But the mantra of this whole pandemic has been teamwork. As Vandals, we can keep up this good pace of safety on our campus by keeping each other safe. We must be prepared to accept that Spring 2021, though maybe slightly more laxed, should be taken just as seriously as the semester we are about to complete.
Carter Kolpitcke can be reached at [email protected].