With the return of in-person learning, guidelines remain in place to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Normal rules have changed to fit the new standards for the safety of every student, teacher, and faculty staff member, in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease.
Masks
The school district issued a list of rules the district must comply with to stay open. Even though they can be a hassle to keep up with, scientists proved masks can be effective when worn properly. This requires everyone to pull their mask over their nose and make sure it tightens around the edges. When wearing the mask, it protects not only yourself but others. Students throughout the campus have underlying conditions that put them at high risk, so by wearing masks, it protects the ones who need the most safety.
Hallway Routes
Even though going against the signs would be easier, and it seems silly to walk around a hallway, taking the proper pathways lessens the risk of spreading the virus. When everyone stays in one direction, germs from students walking in another direction won’t come into contact with you.
6 Feet Apart
Everyone has a friend they love to hang out with. Being close to them and having those quality conversations is a part of friendship. However, according to the CDC, maintaining 6 feet apart decreases your chance of contracting the virus. Try to stay 6-feet away to respect others as well as keeping yourself safe. When social distancing, it relieves some discomfort for those who feel more threatened by the virus. It also helps that contracting COVID-19 will be less likely when maintaining that distance.
Cleaning
Every desk and chair will be wiped down before and after class. It tends to take away class time and one more chore students have to endure, but kindness will be spread through this simple act. To help ease the spread of germs, clean the desks and chairs before you leave class to help those after you. Teachers should initiate the cleaning ritual, but even if not, remind them at the end of class.
Lunch Seating
To make it easier for administrators to contact trace, students have assigned seats in the lunchroom. While this takes away the freedom to interact with friends, it puts everyone’s safety first. It may not give the same feeling when students can’t be with friends, but when sitting in the seat given faculty can trace the nearest students to them so everyone can properly quarantine if a student reports infection.
