How Should Colleges Handle the Omicron Variant?
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Should colleges and universities revert back to remote learning and pandemic restrictions amid surging coronavirus cases? Or do the relatively low risks associated with COVID-19 for young people and the Omicron variant's apparent mildness make new regulations misguided?
Several major institutions, such as Princeton, Syracuse and Howard, are delaying the start of the spring semester by about a week. Cornell University moved final exams online and canceled all in-person gatherings. Stanford University and Northwestern University plan to begin the spring semester with remote learning. Others, such as Northeastern University, announced plans to maintain in-person learning for the spring shortly after announcing that all students must receive a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Over 30 other colleges, including New York University, Boston University and the University of California, have also mandated that students receive a booster shot. Several prominent college football bowl games have also been canceled due to COVID-19.
Some voices across the spectrum, especially on the right but also on the left, criticized colleges that switched back to remote learning. Many cited the fact that COVID-19 is rarely severe for young people and highlighted research that suggests virtual learning and closed classrooms have negative impacts on students' well-being. Some coverage from right-rated outlets focused specifically on how some colleges are mandating booster shots. Fox News (Right bias) highlighted a Princeton University student who criticized his school's purportedly overbearing COVID-19 rules.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Center
Oregon State University Joins Growing List of Schools Requiring COVID Booster ShotOregon State University joined the growing lists of schools requiring a COVID booster shot, as officials from the university announced Tuesday that students, faculty and staff will need to receive one.
"The university's decision is intentional: We seek to minimize disruption of student learning and experience and provide predictability for our faculty and university operations," wrote Oregon State University Interim President Rebecca Johnson and Provost and Executive Vice President Edward Feser in a letter posted on the university's website Tuesday.
"In the days ahead, we will provide you more information...
From the Right
It’s Madness What Is Happening to College KidsThis is a post about the absolutely insane, crushing restrictions being imposed on young, healthy vaccinated (often booster and often naturally immune) people by institutions of knowledge. In order to prove my thesis that these policies are misguided, let me start with some basics.
When it comes to COVID19, there are only 3 things any of us can do:
We can lower the risk of bad outcomes when we encounter the virus.
We can delay the time to meet the virus
We can engage in theater which does not delay...
From the Left
8 Steps to Prepare for a Pandemic That’s Becoming EndemicFor almost two years, colleges and universities have struggled to cope with COVID-19. Now, at the end of the fall term, the terrain is once again shifting.
On Dec. 10, following a substantial spike in coronavirus cases, Middlebury College shifted to remote instruction and sent students home early. The following week, after over 900 students tested positive, many with the Omicron variant, Cornell University moved finals online and canceled all in-person gatherings. In the face of rising cases, New York University also canceled all “non-essential” gatherings, Princeton University moved its final exams online and DePaul University...
AllSides Picks
March 28th, 2024
March 28th, 2024