I can not agree more to this forum. One of my friend who is a border was complaining about all the protocols on campus. She argued that we should go back to normal and we would be fine because everyone on our campus have tested negative. However, I strongly disagree to this claim because the reason all the students tested negative is because we have followed all the protocols and we always have the risk of day students and faculties getting on and off campus. We should not be relieved that COVID19 is almost gone because if we do, we might just get another wave and have to go through the painful process again.

I definitely agree with this more than 100%. Especially with college students, they may be careful during the first few weeks and fear the idea of "breaking rules" that have been implemented due to COVID. However, as students stay on campus, I feel like some may feel more loosened away from the restrictions and start-up parties or break the rules. I think it comes a lot from the idea that people nearby them have not gotten COVID, so they believe that they can sort of loosen up their precautions and enjoy a bit more of campus life. This does not mean that I would rather have people on campus having NO SOCIAL LIFE, though. This means that people should take precautions when they hang out or study with their friends.

I also wanted to share an observation of the logistics of my local college in Utah. I have seen only about 3-5% of the students on campus wearing a mask. There has been a warning to wear masks even when they are outside, but NO ONE is following that notification. I also see a ton of people going to the gym and fitness center, which is a place that COVID can spread rapidly due to the warm air and turbulent airflow. Additionally, there have been many students from that college who are comparing their COVID cases with other colleges within the state and basically showing off that they are "doing better". I find that a bit concerning because it gives off the energy of becoming laid back because their college is doing fine. In fact, all of the colleges within Utah are NOT doing fine, though. I think a lot of people within my region are forgetting that the amount of testing taking place has SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED, so we don't really know the true data.

Having been at my (predominantly Catholic) university for about three weeks now, I am definitely seeing some resistance from the student body. While some carry the belief that the virus has been a hoax all along, some are just becoming fed up with the restrictions and ditching the mask in social situations. Obviously, this does not work in the densely populated school community. I have watched the number of undergraduate cases climb from 20 to 64 over the past week and have begun to fear more and more for my safety and the safety of the community surrounding our university. Yet, students continue to gather in large groups outside, some with masks and some without. It seems that many people believe that the return to school signaled the "end" to the pandemic. If the trends continue the way they are now, it could just be the beginning.

What's crazy to me is that there are people who legitimately think that the virus is a hoax, despite the undeniable evidence of cases and deaths. But I think another part of the problem is just that people are fed up with the 'new' normal. That's definitely the sentiment I seem to be getting in CT at least. For the most part, people are aware of the virus and do wear masks, particularly in closed spaces. But, walking around, there's always someone either just holding their mask in their hand, wearing it on their chin or having it hang from their ear. I understand that CT is supposed to be a low incident area, but that doesn't mean there aren't still cases. Those who are asymptomatic most likely will not know that they have COVID, but are still able to transmit the virus to someone who may have a more severe, visceral response. There's actually been an outbreak in Danbury, CT of 178 new cases. So despite all the precautions people are taking with reopening, I'm still skeptical and frankly quite scared.

I agree. International Schools in South Korea have started to reopen and already we're in the fear of closing down schools again because of the lack of consciousness about the pandemic. Of course, there are many more regulations than we wished to be like but, I think its important to appreciate what we already have and stay that way so that the pandemic doesn't get worse.