RENÉ GARRETT, Special to The Denisonian—
On Thursday, January, 27th, 2022, Moderna Inc. announced, in conjunction with International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, they administered 56 human participants with the first doses of an experimental mRNA HIV vaccine; launching the first clinical trial with the technology. The patented mRNA biotechnology is the same technology used in Moderna and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines.
This is a novel approach to both HIV and vaccination. Traditional approaches to inoculation include administering weakened viruses to induce a B-cell response, which creates antibodies, in response to infection to prepare the immune system for effective response at the moment of infection. The body stores this immunological information for other moments of infection.
New viral vector vaccines such as mRNA have a different structure. The mRNA consists of a vector and passenger where the vector is an immunological vehicle and the passenger contains the information the vector delivers to cells for inoculation. This is much different from traditional inoculation where a weakened virus, known as an antigen, is administered to produce an immune response, where B-cells produce antibodies that can be life-saving at the moment of actual infection. mRNA skips this altogether.
This has been life-saving for COVID-19. According to Statista, a provider of market and consumer data, out of the 500 million vaccines administered in the U.S. more than 200 million were Moderna vaccines. In a December 2021 CNBC interview, “Why The HIV Vaccine Is Closer Than Ever”, Mitchell Warren, Executive Director at the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, explained that Moderna’s mRNA biotechnology was developed prior to the discovery of the SARS-2/COVID-19 virus.
In fact, quoted in the same CNBC segment, analyses from Resource Tracking for HIV Prevention Research & Development, a 16-year-old project, totals U.S. government spending on HIV vaccine funding from 2000-2020 at roughly $12 billion. This is compared to the $10 billion the trump administration approved for mRNA research in the face of COVID-19 in 2020. So while infectious disease and allergy research overlaps, COVID-19 research has distinctly benefited from ground laid in the search for an HIV/AIDS vaccine.
Human trials are currently in Phase I with 56 healthy, seronegative (HIV negative), adult participants at the University of Texas-Health Science Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Hope Clinic, and George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
This is groundbreaking for the ways vaccination in HIV is much more complicated than in the body’s response to COVID-19. Different from COVID-19, HIV is an unstable virus that is constantly mutating within the body. Even with vector vaccine structures like the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, an induced immune response from the body cannot keep up.
A study from the University of Kentucky published in 2014 “Prevalence of HIV Testing and Associated Risk Factors in College Students”, showed that only about 36% of students had been tested for HIV – ever. Knowledge of HIV amongst college students is necessary as youth ages 13-24 consist of about a quarter of the 50,000 new infections each year. If you are a student and having sex, consider reaching out to Whilser Health Center for the Glove Box initiative that offers students anonymous sexual health materials including contraceptives. To sign up visit: https://denison.edu/campus/health
February Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out Thursday the 3rd of February, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is in an effort to return students back to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quartnetine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TV and haven’t had to wash my own dishes at all this week.”
Both these students were tested again on their 5th day to see if they could return to their in-person activities, an by the printing of this article both have been released. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
ew weeks of Fbfebru Over the first few weeks of February Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out Thursday the 3rd of February, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is in an effort to return students back to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quartnetine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TV and haven’t had to wash my own dishes at all this week.”
Both these students were tested again on their 5th day to see if they could return to their in-person activities, an by the printing of this article both have been released. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
yary Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out Thursday the 3rd of February, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is in an effort to return students back to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quartnetine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TV and haven’t had to wash my own dishes at all this week.”
Both these students were tested again on their 5th day to see if they could return to their in-person activities, an by the printing of this article both have been released. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
vOr the first few we Over the first few weeks of February Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out Thursday the 3rd of February, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is in an effort to return students back to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quartnetine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TV and haven’t had to wash my own dishes at all this week.”
Both these students were tested again on their 5th day to see if they could return to their in-person activities, an by the printing of this article both have been released. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
eks of February Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out Thursday the 3rd of February, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is in an effort to return students back to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quartnetine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TV and haven’t had to wash my own dishes at all this week.”
Both these students were tested again on their 5th day to see if they could return to their in-person activities, an by the printing of this article both have been released. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
Over the first week of February, Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out last Thursday, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagiousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is an effort to return students to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in-person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in-person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quarantine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TVs and haven’t had to wash my dishes at all this week.”
Both these students will test again on their 5th day to see if they can return to their in-person activities. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
Over the r the first week of February, Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out last Thursday, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagiousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is an effort to return students to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in-person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in-person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quarantine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TVs and haven’t had to wash my dishes at all this week.”
Both these students will test again on their 5th day to see if they can return to their in-person activities. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
Over the first week of February, Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out last Thursday, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagiousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is an effort to return students to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in-person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in-person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quarantine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TVs and haven’t had to wash my dishes at all this week.”
Both these students will test again on their 5th day to see if they can return to their in-person activities. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
first week of February, Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out last Thursday, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagiousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is an effort to return students to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in-person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in-person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quarantine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TVs and haven’t had to wash my dishes at all this week.”
Both these students will test again on their 5th day to see if they can return to their in-person activities. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
Over the first week of February, Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out last Thursday, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagiousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is an effort to return students to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in-person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in-person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quarantine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TVs and haven’t had to wash my dishes at all this week.”
Both these students will test again on their 5th day to see if they can return to their in-person activities. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
Over the first week of February, Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out last Thursday, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagiousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is an effort to return students to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in-person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in-person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quarantine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TVs and haven’t had to wash my dishes at all this week.”
Both these students will test again on their 5th day to see if they can return to their in-person activities. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.
ver the first week of February, Denison University has seen a rise of Covid on campus with many students either knowing someone or having tested positive for Covid 19 themselves.
As released in President Weinberg’s email that was sent out last Thursday, they do not believe the University will be covid free due to the contagiousness of the Omicron variant, and their current goal is to prevent serious illness and transmission through masking in public spaces, tracking close contacts, and keeping students up to date on boosters and vaccinations.
From January 25th to February 3rd Denison has had 183 positive covid cases across campus. 88.5% of those cases were reported from January 30th to February 3rd showing a stark rise in cases near the turn of the months. Students testing positive are required to under CDC guidelines quarantine for 5 days. Previously, Denison would require students to quarantine for another 5 days if they tested positive again on their 5th day in quarantine, but they are now testing on day 7 in case the person is no longer positive. This is an effort to return students to classes sooner.
Denison is pushing for in-person classes this semester listing the benefits of in-person learning for students. Activities, arts, and clubs will continue, but under covid restrictions, since those are considered vital for the student’s scene of normalcy. However, there is the issue with classes staying in-person and virtual learning being limited, that students in quarantine have to scramble to complete and stay on top of their grades while locked away. Graham Harrignton, a senior English major from New Town Square, Pennsylvania, describes that “It’s really hard to keep track of all my assignments, I’m just sort of living in a purgatory.” Liam Jeanette, a senior physics and computer science double major from Wheaton, Illinois, who has been quarantined, says, “I had Covid over break when I had nothing to do and it sucked isolating in my room. Now I have Covid again and isolating sucks even more because I’m missing things that are very much in-person activities like my research, music ensembles, painting class, and socializing. On the bright side, I’ve really been knocking out a lot of TVs and haven’t had to wash my dishes at all this week.”
Both these students will test again on their 5th day to see if they can return to their in-person activities. When asked about Denison’s ability to test students, Whistler stated that “The Wellness Center is not currently experiencing a lack of testing supply. We have an ample supply of testing.”
Denison seems to be seeing a surge of Covid cases, and it looks like covid is here to stay this semester on Denison University’s campus. Just remember to mask, social distance, and stay safe with the safety of yourself and those around you in mind.