Editorial: Stay Home, Stay Safe

Here we are. It’s October, and the surge of cases we expected during the fall season has arrived.

Westmoreland County’s number of COVID-19 cases and deaths has risen higher than it ever was before.

Remember when things were really bad in April and May, when Pennsylvania went into the red phase? We’re doing a lot worse.

Our Bradford and Johnstown campuses are now in the Elevated Risk posture, too. Now more than ever, we have to protect ourselves.

Wear a mask any time you’re around people who don’t live with you. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer frequently. Make sure you avoid touching your face, and don’t put your fingers in your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Most importantly, stay home if you can. Although I know the University’s offering hybrid learning, I don’t think it’s worth the risk of coming to class. You can do what you like (as long as you’re following public health guidelines), but I have to ask, why take the risk if you don’t need to?

I understand that some of us benefit more from in-person learning than online, but it’s not impossible to make the switch, especially with synchronous classes.

This issue, we covered all of the ways faculty prepared to teach during the pandemic, and they’re dedicated to helping students succeed. There are virtual resources out there for you if you’re struggling, too.  

Plus, you shouldn’t ever hesitate to reach out to your professor if you need help. That’s what they’re there for – to help you learn! There are ways to succeed, even if you’re not in the classroom.

Also, I have to be honest with you all – this is not ending any time soon. And by not soon, I don’t mean at the beginning of the next year, or the end of the next one. The world’s probably going to be like this through 2022, or even 2023.

I think the likelihood we’ll be able to continue going to classes safely through all of that is slim. We really need to prepare to attend class virtually, because it’s an inevitable reality at this point.

So, are you ready? (If not, our last issue has some stories that will help guide you in the right direction.)

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Other stories from vol. 13, issue 4: 
Campus Close-Up
How Faculty Prepared for the Fall Semester: Pitt to the Power of One
From Competitor to Coach: Kelsey Oddis
Into the Spider-Verse in Real Life?
Countdown to Doomsday (Clock)
There is an Impostor “Among Us”
The Brand Wars: WWE or AEW?
Opinion: I Watched the Debates so You Didn’t Have To