A divisive campus debate may be coming to a close. This semester, EMU has updated its COVID-19 policies to follow new guidelines released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The new guidelines include a shortened quarantine period of five days (beginning after the day of the positive test), followed by masking for five more days after returning to classes. EMU is not recommending quarantine for those exposed to a person who tests positive for COVID-19.
Over the course of the pandemic, some EMU policies regarding COVID-19 were met with skepticism both from within and without the Harrisonburg campus. In recent memory, the swift adoption of a loosened CDC masking policy released early last March drew criticism from some students and faculty, while earning praise from others. However, it seems that this fall, EMU students are more united in support of reduced restrictions as the world learns to live with COVID-19.
Asked about whether he feels that the new COVID policy on campus is a positive step, Junior Caleb Wesbey responded, “Yes, they’re a step in the right direction, but I don’t think that this should be the last of the changes. We cared a lot about the flu at first, but eventually, we learned to live with it. There’s more to be done, and we need to take this disease seriously, but it’s not worth losing your mind over COVID.”
Some students seem more content with maintaining the current policies. When asked if she thought the new policies were appropriate, First year Meygan Kyger replied, “Yes, I feel like the CDC says five days is all that it takes, and wearing the masks is extra protection when you get out of quarantine.” Regarding any differences between EMU and the general public’s handling of COVID-19, she answered, “They feel the same to me.”
Junior Belen Hernandez also agrees with the lessened restrictions, saying, “Yes, I think the rules are good, you still have to quarantine and wear a mask, and so I think it’s still something, and it’s pretty efficient.” When asked if EMU felt aligned with the rest of Harrisonburg on COVID-19 policy, she said, “I’d say they’re about the same because I go out and nobody is wearing a mask. When I was on the cross-cultural trip to Peru, everybody still wore masks, but I guess we don’t here because more people are vaccinated.”
Moving forward, EMU wants to contain the spread of COVID-19 so that the university can continue to provide a rediscovered sense of normalcy. Be sure to check www.emu.edu/coronavirus to keep up with the latest COVID-19 guidance. If you test positive for COVID-19, please send an email to covidhotline@emu.edu.
