Editorial: Get Vaccinated by Dec. 6

On Monday, the COVID-19 Medical Response Office (CMRO) announced that all University faculty, staff, and students will need to be vaccinated by Dec. 6 to be permitted on campus in Spring 2022. 

Although we’re over halfway through the semester, I guess it’s better late than never. 

The CMRO stated in their email announcing the decision that encouraging us to get vaccinated “is not sustainable in the long term.” It’s clear that approach simply wasn’t working at Pitt-Greensburg. Despite the plethora of evidence proving the vaccine is the best way to prevent severe COVID-19 infection and restrict its spread, we still have the lowest vaccination rates out of any of Pitt’s campuses.

It’s essential that you get vaccinated as soon as possible. Even though breakthrough infections can occur, they’re nowhere near as severe as infections in unvaccinated people. According to the CDC, vaccinated people are eight times less likely to get COVID-19 and 25 times less likely to be hospitalized or die if they are infected. 

The University will apparently allow faculty, staff, and students to submit requests for exemptions from the mandate based on medical or religious grounds as well as “strongly held moral or ethical convictions.” 

I have to ask, what conviction could be strong enough that the University would permit people with those convictions to put others at risk?

The interim policy is available online now, and we will be sure to update you on the ins and outs of the full official policy in our next issue. 

In the meantime, we want to hear from you about your thoughts on the policy. Please feel free to reach out to us via our online submission form, or via email at UPGInsider@outlook.com attn: Madison.

And please, if you haven’t yet, now’s the time to get vaccinated. If it’s been six months since your last dose, you should get a booster shot soon to ensure you’re protected. You can schedule an appointment at the Mainline Pharmacy Clinic in Chambers Hall online right now.

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Other stories from volume 15, issue 3:
Faculty Votes to Form Union
What are CAs Jobs Like During the Pandemic?
Employee Shortages Spark Dining Worker Burnout
2021 Art Show Announces Winners
Phi Eta Sigma Hosts Annual Oktoberfest
It’s Not Too Late to Get Involved
Alumni Spotlight: Justin Merriman
Campus Close-Up: What Was Your Halloween Costume?
From the Exhaust Tip: Porsche’s 962
Stream Your Heart Out: “Squid Game” Review
Apocalypse by Candlelight: “Ten Candles” Review