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My daughter is about to start college in a month. None of us in the family has had Covid because we diligently mask in all indoor settings. This will not be possible for her in a dorm. I'm concerned about her getting sick and missing her first week of college as well as negotiating a new health system without any support system or even friends there yet. But it seems irresponsible to seek out getting sick beforehand. We are all fully vaccinated and boosted. What do experts recommend for young people heading off to campus in the fall?
Congratulations that your child is embarking on a great journey in life, college life. Colleges and universities have a responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of students that reside on campus. Many colleges have undertaken well-thought additional measures to respond to the Covid-19 threat. Ensuring that students are up to date with vaccinations is important. The wearing of masks while indoors, especially in poorly ventilated spaces is also important. Each student should engage in personally responsible behavior, which includes minimizing participating in large group activities when there is known local viral transmission activity. I suggest that you inquire about what specific measures are being planned for the fall at the local institution.
I recommend that students should always feel free to exercise additional precautions, such as the wearing of masks if the campus does not impose a strict masking policy. In-room HEPA filtering units may also provide some improvement in the air quality.
