Yesterday, Ohio University announced that students and faculty will again be required to wear masks while indoors on campus. The university included that masking outdoors may be required and asymptomatic testing regardless of vaccination status will again be mandatory for residential students.
This announcement comes off the heels of a spike in COVID-19 cases around the nation. However, the announcement fails to consider exactly what the university hopes to achieve or the rights of students who have done their part and been fully vaccinated.
In 2020, there was a heart path to freedom. We would all wear masks and socially distance ourselves. Once the vaccine was widely available life could resume. According to Ohio University, 45% of students have been vaccinated. That figure closely reflects statewide numbers. 46% of Ohioans are currently vaccinated. If the other 54% choose not to receive it, that should not inhibit the lives of those who did.
For months, the COVID-19 vaccine has been widely available and easily accessible. As of July 26 there were 6,687 severe breakthrough cases of coronavirus amongst the 163 million fully vaccinated Americans. That’s a hospitalization rate of 0.00004%. You are more likely to get hit by a car than be hospitalized due to COVID-19 if you’re fully vaccinated.
So, the university is yet again ruining the experience of all students, but this time it’s to protect those who have chosen to take on the risk of not getting the vaccine. It may be harsh, but the fate of those who refuse to do their part and receive the vaccine should not be the concern of fully-vaccinated students.
The mandate also raises comical contradictions due to the reality of life at Ohio University. This fall, students will be resuming their lives as they should. The bars and restaurants will be full and house parties will happen en masse. What is the purpose of working out in a mask when students will be in close quarters on Court Street?
The measure also raises the concern of classes being moved back online. If infections rise among unvaccinated students it’s not outside the realm of possibility that classes could be thrust back online and students will return to wasting thousands on a shallow, futile online education.
This measure caters to the cries of those who refuse to accept the fact it’s time for life to resume for normal Americans. If a student doesn’t feel comfortable going back out into the world then it’s their choice not to, but that choice should be forced on everyone. COVID-19 is not going away, but it’s time for life to resume.
Noah Wright is a senior studying strategic communication at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Noah? Tweet him @NoahCampaign.
