The new omicron variant of COVID-19 has increased the number of positive cases daily, and Kennesaw State students should be concerned with what this could mean for in-person classes and other social activities.
This variant has been recorded to be the most contagious since the start of the pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is moving into unknown waters with their research which is causing them to make rapid decisions on how to move forward, according to the NY Times.
One of the many decisions made was to shorten the number of days that infected Americans must complete quarantine. What was once 10-to-14-day isolation with pending negative results has now been reduced to five days.
With the reduced quarantine time, it is uncertain how this will contain the spike in cases. Students should do what they feel is best for themselves and those around them.
Major population centers across the country that were heavily affected by the variant have started to show improvement with the number of cases being reported. The worry remains that US citizens have yet to see any signs of the exposure rates slowing down, according to CNN.
The effects of the new variants vary from person to person, but it does not mean that students should not be worried about the long-term effects that may occur if they do test positive.
Students should be open about being symptomatic or asymptomatic and if they have been exposed. Reporting a positive test to KSU’s self-reporting sitecan help reduce the numbers we see on campus and help with contact tracing if needed.
Middle Georgia health experts seem to believe that omicron may have reached the highest point, despite more and more Georgians catching COVID-19 by the day according to The Telegraph.
There is not a clear understanding as to when cases may start to slow down but students can focus on what this means for everyday life.
“A lot of students like me desperately do not want to go back to online schooling,” freshman Brianna Barros said. “If COVID surges again, the University System of Georgia may be forced to put us back online.”
So much time has been taken from students in terms of getting back to normal. It seems as if every time students turn on devices, things are getting worse and the light at the end of the tunnel is getting dimmer day by day.
Students should take the best safety measures when it comes to the health of themselves and their classmates’ to help end the steady rise in cases. Wearing a face covering is strongly suggested when in public areas. Getting vaccinated is also highly encouraged, whether it be on or off-campus. Being aware of potential surges can help students determine what the next steps are as far as what they can do to keep the university safe.
