Coming back to a COVID-19 campus

Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic there still is new information being learned every day about this deadly virus. 

While it seemed like things were starting to calm down, the Omicron variant caused another COVID-19 surge during the winter break. 

Omicron impacted the campus community heavily during J-Term. Throughout the fall semester, only 110 COVID-19 cases were reported to Elmhurst University’s COVID-19 Task Force. From Jan. 1, to Jan. 28, 177 COVID-19 cases were reported. v

This information sparked fears amongst students regarding the risks of returning to campus for the spring semester; no one wanted to come back to a COVID-19 infected campus. But the mask mandate soothed some students’ fears.

“Knowing masks were still being required I knew things were going to be okay,” said junior public health major Stephanie Garcia.

Students were recommended to get a PCR COVID-19 test before returning back to campus, but it was not required. In the first week back on campus, six positive cases were reported. 

If you are looking to get a test on campus, you can get a rapid test every Tuesday from 12 to 3 p.m. in the lobby of Faganel Hall. For a PCR test, you must make an appointment 24 hours beforehand on Etrieve, and the tests are available every Wednesday from 12 to 3 p.m. in the lobby of Faganel Hall. 

Now more than ever it is important to wear a proper mask, but some students have questioned how efficient EU has actually been with the mask mandate. 

“I feel like there are way too many people on campus, to be honest. There are a lot of people from what I’ve seen, not wearing masks,” said senior digital media major Janet Perezchica. “I’ve seen a couple of professors calling out students, but there are so many that still walk around without one or not wearing it properly.”

With news claiming Illinois is dropping the mask mandate starting Feb. 28, students are left wondering whether or not EU will keep the mask mandate on campus.

“I think the school should keep the mask mandate,” Garcia said. “It protects the self and others from getting sick as well. We have kept masks all along and it just shows how efficient masks work.”

“We are still in a pandemic even though people act like it’s over,” Perezchica stated. “Cases are rising and people are still dying from it. Everyone should still wear a mask.”

There has been no comment yet from EU regarding whether they will be keeping the mask mandate or not. A meeting was on Feb. 14 to discuss plans, but no statement has been released as of Feb. 20.