Without a doubt, Clemson faculty and students have struggled with the new adjustments to college life. Overall, Clemson has done a fair job of minimizing cases, but there are still a few mishaps arising from administration and students. Mainly, classes started too early and Clemson students are still learning how to wear a mask.
This semester, Clemson students returned to campus around January 4th for the first day of class, January 6th. This seemed a bit early given our current COVID-19 situation. Historically, spring semester classes started later than we witnessed in Spring 2021, even if it was by a few days. In 2018, classes began January 10th. In 2019, classes began January 9th, and in early 2020 we met our friends, no mask in sight, on January 8th. With how quickly COVID-19 spreads, Clemson should have allotted more time for students to get tested after potential holiday gatherings before returning. If students or staff members celebrated Christmas with friends and families, they could have been exposed. If they were exposed on December 25th, they could have contracted the virus and tested positive anywhere between the 25th and January 7th. Although this is slightly unlikely, as most will show signs of the virus or test positive between 7 and 10 days after exposure, now is not the time to disregard caution. Meaning, Clemson should have provided more time for students and staff to wait out the 14 day period after Christmas and New Year’s Eve, as large family gatherings (though advised against) were likely. We should be overly cautious around the holidays and cold/flu season. Several other universities, including Winthrop University and University of South Carolina, welcomed students back later than Clemson, by either a week or a few days. However, with how rapid COVID-19 spreads, those few days could have saved some students and staff members from potential exposures. Winthrop University began virtually on January 11th, then started in person instruction on January 19th, putting distance between in person meetings and the holidays. While our university did not follow suit, some Clemson professors chose to wait a couple extra days before holding their in person meetings, as they likely recognized that classes began too close to the “COVID-19 spreader” holidays.
Thankfully, Clemson has become very strict with regard to testing, which might have contributed to the early start of the semester. In the fall, campus residents were required to test once a week, while off campus students were randomly selected for testing even if they had in person classes. While all on-campus students are still required to test once a week, Clemson made a drastic change in testing regulations as we moved towards the Spring semester.
This spring, all students and staff members that wish to regularly attend in person classes or use campus facilities must test once a week. This is a great step forward and could easily decrease the number of cases on campus, especially since Clemson is holding more in person classes than last semester. The fall random selection process essentially depended on the student or staff members, as they could go weeks or months between tests. Meaning, students who were not randomly selected for testing and were not responsible enough to seek out their own testing might have had COVID-19 on campus. This semester, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your classmates were tested within the past week.
Although those on campus are required to test weekly, they could still catch COVID-19 and attend class or use campus facilities between their testing dates. Therefore, just like last semester, masks are required on all persons on academic grounds. If you are on Clemson University property and near other students or staff members, you should have your mask on. That being said, it has become incredibly evident that some Clemson students are a little lost when it comes to proper mask-wearing techniques. When we pass each other on the sidewalk and you see my mask on but refuse to pull yours up, you openly admit that you are selfish or just dumb. If I have to wear my mask the entirety of our 50 minute class, you should be wearing yours as well. To answer any questions: no, you will not die of CO2 poisoning by wearing a mask over your nose AND mouth for 50 minutes. No, you are not being oppressed by protecting yourself and others with your mask. No, you do not look cool when you have your mask under your nose or shove it in your pocket while we share the same indoor classroom. Yes, I will call you out on my social media and to your face if you are not wearing your mask during our in person class. It may come as a shock to some Clemson students, even though we have been dealing with masks for ten months, but masks do work. Don’t be the kid that the professor has to ask to put a mask on. I’m looking at you, guy from my POSC 3210 course. That was embarrassing for you. Everyone else had their mask on. The professor had to tell you, in front of the entire class, 10 months into a pandemic, to wear your mask. Yikes. Please just put it on during class or if we have to walk right past each other. Also, wear it over your nose! If you can walk library bridge hungover during class exchange, you can wear a mask.
