Peter Merrill, Campus Carrier news editor

As the country prepared to return to school, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relaxed their guidelines for unvaccinated Americans, shortened the period of isolation for Americans who were exposed to COVID-19 and no longer recommends testing in public schools. According to PBS, the changes signal a changing approach the pandemic that prioritizes keeping schools and other facilities open above stemming transmission.

In defense of these changes, the CDC cited diminishing hospitalizations as well as the protection that many Americans have from the coronavirus, either from having caught the disease at an earlier time or taking the vaccine. U.S News, reported that as of February 2022, 57% of Americans had antibodies against the virus, which was up 33% from December 2021.

Julia Raifman, Assistant Professor at Boston University and leader of the COVID-19 U.S State Policy database voiced concerns about these changes on PBS. Raifman said that the CDC guidelines should be strengthened rather than weakened because Americans look to the CDC for standards that take evidence, inclusivity and equitability into account.

Raifman indicated that schools, as crowded indoor settings, were areas of high transmission and that more emphasis should be placed on keeping them safe by vaccinating more children. By doing this, Raifman believes that schools could remain open and resistant to the coronavirus at the same time but is concerned that the new guidelines could lead to outbreaks.

Since the pandemic began, NBC News reports that over one million Americans have died from COVID-19 and over ninety-three million have been infected. While the death rate has slowed in recent months, over 500 deaths were recorded in California alone in the last week. The numbers in Georgia are significantly lower, with 145 deaths and 370 infections, but this is still much higher when compared to similar viruses like influenza. According to the CDC, of the 2,226 deaths attributed to pneumonia, influenza or COVID-19, 1,207 of the deaths were listed as COVID-19 related and only four were the result of influenza.

Berry has decided to adhere to the CDC’s guidelines. While vaccinations and boosters are strongly encouraged, contact tracing will no longer be performed by the college and masking will be optional everywhere on campus.

On the Berry website it is noted that, “While COVID mitigation rules were helpful during the long crisis period, our long-term approach must focus on personal responsibility, for our health and for the health of our community.”

Freshman Lilia Johnson said that she understood why some people might be concerned about Berry reopening to students from all over the country with reduced safety measures but was not worried about it herself.

“I think it’s good that [Berry] has gotten more lenient,” Johnson said.

Director of Health Services Lauren Wehunt recommended that student who are experiencing symptoms that they think might be allergies or the common cold test for COVID to ensure that they are keeping the people around them safe. Students who test positive for COVID in the health center will be given K-95 masks and will be required to isolate for at least five days, either at their home or in their dorm room. If symptoms have abated after five days and a negative test is taken, students can end isolation, but will be required to wear a mask for ten days.

“I think the biggest thing is to do what’s comfortable for the individual,” Wehunt said. “If you know there’s a lot of people coming in from all different areas and you feel more comfortable masking when you’re around others, I think that’s perfectly acceptable.”

Although the health center does not make executive decisions about mask mandates, social distancing and other COVID precautions, they are available for any students who have questions or concerns about the pandemic and how it might affect the upcoming school year.