COVID-19 persists after quarantine is over

Anxiety surrounding COVID-19 has started up again following the arrival of the annual flu season, the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting 15,353 cases and 139 deaths in the last seven days.

WHO ended the public health emergency on May 11, 2023. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 cases are on the rise. Between Aug. 14 and 21, there were 10,320 hospitalized, a 14.3% increase over the previous week. The Biden Administration, in preparation for a possible winter surge of COVID-19, reinstated its program offering Americans free coronavirus tests through the mail.

“Vaccination against COVID-19 remains the most important protection in avoiding hospitalization, long-term health complications, and death," Biden said through the White House’s website.

The uptick in COVID-19 cases has caused conspiracy theorists to stoke rising panic about reinstatement of social distancing policies.

“RED ALERT” ran a headline on Infowars, a conspiratorial website run by right-wing personality Alex Jones. “White House Announces Plan to Reimplement Covid Tyranny.”

Despite these fears, CDC director Mandy Cohen reminded the public that America is seeing one quarter of the hospital visits in August 2023 compared to August 2022.

If a student feels sick, the Nurse’s Office has a supply of KN95 masks and COVID-19 tests available. In guidance with the CDC, students who test positive are encouraged to quarantine for five days and wear a mask for five days when returning to school, but the reinstatement of mass social distancing is improbable.

“In general, society is more prepared for shutdown,” said school Nurse Tracy Johnson. “But, in my opinion, I think a return to remote learning is unlikely.”