Nearly three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, responses from institutions of higher education remain ever-changing. Just ahead of the fall 2022 semester and amid declining local cases, William Jewell College released its 2022-23 Health and Safety Guidelines in July and announced a major revision on Sept. 01.

Compared to Jewell’s previous COVID-19 responses, Vice President for Finance and Operations Daniel Holt explained that this year’s shortened guidelines feature only the most efficient and accurate measures to support community health.

“You will find a much shorter list of guidelines than what was released with Operation Safe [Campus] and Operation Resurgent Campus,” Holt said. “This is intentional, as our community has learned from the past two years the best practices that keep the Jewell community safe and the most frequently asked questions.”

Despite the decline in local cases, some students remain at risk for transmission due to exposure during travel or athletic events. This semester, various small outbreaks affected groups of students, but were ultimately contained as everyone followed appropriate guidelines. Overall, a key point in Jewell’s guidelines encourages students to use campus resources such as the Student Health Center when situations regarding potential exposure and isolation arise.

According to nurse practitioner Courtney Cooper, MSN, FNP-C, CEN, and registered nurse Christina Graskemper, BSN, CPN, the Student Health Center is a centralized resource for students who may need additional support during the pandemic and otherwise. Employed through The Liberty Clinic, Cooper and Graskemper work the majority of their hours at the Student Health Center and provide in-person and telehealth services to students on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

“We provide education to all students regarding when to test and quarantine guidelines,” they said. “We coordinate with student life and dining services to make sure the students that test positive have what they need during the quarantine period. We [also] work with the professors and athletic department to help the students maintain a good academic standing.”

Cooper and Graskemper maintain that services provided at the Student Health Center align with up-to-date policies and recommendations set by Jewell and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to guidance on testing, they currently offer free, self-administered COVID-19 tests to students who are experiencing symptoms.

“According to the CDC, if a student is having symptoms, [they] should test immediately,” Cooper and Graskemper explain. “[However,] a negative test does not rule out a COVID-19 infection. There is a chance that you can test too soon, which means you tested before the virus was detectable. Therefore, if we have a student in the Health Center who has been sick for less than 24 hours that tests negative, we recommend re-testing once they have been experiencing symptoms for more than 24 hours. …If you have been exposed to COVID-19, but are asymptomatic, you should wait five full days before testing.”

Regardless of vaccination status, Jewell’s guidelines state that everyone should follow the same isolation procedure if sick; however, additional masking requirements are reliant on whether an individual experiences symptoms or not. 

The guidelines are based on a timeline established by the CDC with day zero defined as day that symptoms arose or the day that an individual took the test, whichever occurred first. Importantly, the CDC notes, the day that a positive test result is received may not necessarily be the same day that the test was performed.

As soon as an individual receives a positive test result, Cooper and Graskemper add, they must immediately begin following appropriate guidelines and notify anyone that they were in contact with over the previous two days.

“Individuals need to quarantine alone for days 1-5,” Cooper and Graskemper state. “If symptoms are improving after day five, [they] may be out in public only if wearing a well-fitted mask. [They] need to wear the mask in public for days 6-10. On day 11, you are allowed to be mask-free. If your symptoms are not improving after day five, you are to continue to quarantine at home for the full 10 days.”

Similar to those with symptomatic infections, Jewell’s guidelines instruct individuals experiencing no symptoms to isolate themselves for days 1-5. However, in accordance with updated CDC recommendations, they are no longer required to wear a mask during days 6-10 – a change reflected in the updated version of Jewell’s guidelines that were released on Sept. 01.

In either circumstance, if symptoms develop or worsen at any point, the CDC recommends restarting isolation at day zero. Students who need to isolate but live with a roommate should notify Student Life for temporary housing — a positive COVID-19 test is no longer required for this process.

The Student Health Center also recommends that students check in with their health care provider if they need relief from COVID-19 symptoms during the isolation period. 

Listed in the 2022-23 guidelines and reiterated by Holt, Jewell’s response to COVID-19 is largely dependent on local transmission and infection rates: “In the event of a surge of infection on campus and strain on local healthcare capacities, strategies from previous guidelines may be implemented,” the guidelines document states.

As of late-October, the Clay County Public Health Center reports transmission of COVID-19 in the county remains low with a seven-date case rate of about 63 per 100,000 people. Similarly, the Missouri Department of Health notes low community levels in all of the state’s seven regions. Both health departments state they use the CDC’s guidelines for categorizing and responding to low, medium and high community levels.

Summarizing the week of Oct. 21, the CDC reports 80.9% of U.S. counties and territories are experiencing low community levels. Although many Omicron variants are circling the U.S., the CDC remarks that they still make up a small minority of cases and are being monitored closely.

In the event that Clay County advances to a medium community level or higher, Jewell’s guidelines recommend that individuals at higher risk of COVID-19 symptoms wear a mask as needed. However, with community transmission expected to continue declining, Jewell anticipates a partial return to normalcy this year, writing in the guidelines document that the 2022-23 experience “will resemble pre-pandemic semesters with an increased mindfulness of personal wellbeing.”

On Oct. 29, William Jewell College Provost Anne Dema emailed all students announcing changes to the spring semester. The biggest announcement was the change to spring break. The five days that make up a regular spring break have now been spread out over the course of the entire spring semester, meaning that there will be no classes on the days of Feb. 5, Feb. 24, March 16, March 18 and April 14. 

“This change enables a less interrupted mid-semester schedule, which is a time that often involves personal travel, thus mitigating increased exposure risks,” Dema stated in the email.

While I wish things could return to normal by next semester and we could have our spring break as usual, both the school and I believe that is unlikely, and it would be irresponsible to act as if things were normal. So it was clear that Jewell had to make some adjustments to the next semester. 

About a week before the announcement, the College sent out a survey to students to gauge the student body’s opinions on how to change spring break. Apart from the option that has been approved, the others were to either have spring break as planned, with required testing added on, or have no spring break and school would end for the summer a week earlier. 

Ultimately, after the results of the survey, the school chose to spread out spring break, given that survey feedback indicated that faculty and students preferred that option over the others. 

I personally agree with Jewell’s decision, and I believe it is the best option for the spring semester of 2021. Going without many days off this semester has been very difficult on myself and many other students, so having no break would have been my least favorite option of the three. And while I would have liked to have a normal spring break, it would not be very responsible if the virus is not under control and would require copious amounts of testing, which is expensive. 

The only problem I have with Jewell’s plan for the spring semester is the dates for the days off from class. Only one of them falls on a Friday, and none of them fall on a Monday, meaning only one three-day-weekend will come from these extra days off. I personally prefer extra long weekends as opposed to a day off in the middle of the week because it gives me extra time to complete homework from the weekend, although this may not be as big of a deal to others.

Overall, I do agree and support Jewell’s decision to spread out spring break over the course of the semester. While I wish we could have a normal spring break, it would be too risky in the current situation we are in. I believe that Jewell made a fair and balanced choice that will keep the school and the surrounding community safe, while also providing students with opportunity for breaks during the semester.

While the U.S. national election headlines have occupied the space usually reserved for COVID-19 related stories, there is still much to report about the progression of the pandemic. Across Missouri, including Clay County and Kansas City, the stakes of the pandemic are heightening. Such is also the case for both the U.S. as a whole and several countries around the world. Read on to find the most recent local information about the status of COVID-19 in Clay County, Kansas City and Missouri.

Clay County

As William Jewell College moves to Operation Safe Campus threat level C after a cluster of students on the football team and within the Kappa Alpha fraternity house tested positive, Clay County has seen a growing number of confirmed cases. 

On Nov. 4, the County hit a grim milestone – the highest number of daily cases reported to the Clay County Public Health Center (CPHC) on record. Within the county, 67 cases were reported on this day. The seven-day average of confirmed cases was 52.71 Nov. 4. This is an over two-fold increase of the seven-day average exactly a month earlier, which was 20.86.

By comparison, the seven-day average of cases on April 4 – just before Gov. Parson initiated the statewide lockdown – was 2.14. 

As of midday Nov. 7, the total number of cases reported to the CPHC is 3,086. 

Information about COVID-19 in the Clay County area, including epidemiological data, recovery data and school gating criteria can be accessed at the CPHC website, linked here. 

Kansas City

Kansas City is seeing a concomitant rise in weekly reported cases. Updated most recently to indicate the weekly case rate for the week of Oct. 26, the KCMO Health Department recorded a steady rise in reported cases since the beginning of September. Kansas City reached an all-time high in the week of Oct. 11 with an average daily case rate of 232.65. This rate dipped in the week of Oct. 18 to 151.43 only to rise almost back up to that record level, with a case rate of 219.34 in the week of Oct. 26.

Kansas City’s positivity rate – measured as a proportion of the number of positive COVID-19 tests to the number of total COVID-19 tests taken in Kansas City – also hit a record high in the week of Oct. 11 at 16.14 percent. The rate dipped to 11.81 in the following week and has risen again to 14.16 percent in the week of Oct. 26.

KCMO Health Department notes that Kansas City should be aiming for a positivity rate of about five percent, which would indicate that transmission of the virus is low and enough people are being tested. 

Across Kansas City, the age group that reported the most cases of COVID-19 were 20- to 29-year-olds, who reported 445 cases in the past two weeks as of Nov. 7, according to the KCMO Health Department. 

Chief medical officers across Kansas City hospitals have shared that they are dangerously close to reaching capacity due to COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Kansas City’s COVID-19 epidemiological data and testing resources are accessible at the KCMO government website, linked here.

Missouri

Missouri as a whole is reflecting these local trends. According to information from the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan website as of Nov. 7, there was an average of 19,680 cases across the state between Oct. 29 and Nov. 4, with an average of 2,811 per day.

Yesterday, Missouri reported a record high of 3,931 newly confirmed cases, which officially brought the state’s total number of cases to over 200,000. This most recent figure has not been factored into the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan’s seven-day average as of yet.

According to the Show Me Strong Recovery Plan, Missouri has recorded 321 cases of COVID-19 per every 100,000 people and 1.4 deaths from COVID-19 per every 100,000 people, both within the past seven days. These per-capita numbers put Missouri at number 16 and 10, respectively, out of all 50 states.

Missouri’s positivity rate is at a seven-day average of 16.7 percent. 

As of Nov. 4, there are 1,826 beds occupied by coronavirus patients in Missouri hospitals. The rapidly growing number of hospitalized coronavirus patients is forcing Missouri hospitals to consider contingency plans in the event that they reach capacity in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 has taken over our lives, and masks play a key role in keeping our communities safe and healthy, as stipulated by the Centers for Disease Control. As face masks become a staple in our daily wardrobes, there are many options on the market for people to protect themselves and others while expressing individuality. At the beginning of quarantine, there wasn’t much variety, but as of recently you can buy masks almost anywhere you go to fit any occasion. 

When looking for masks, people should prioritize effectiveness, but this doesn’t mean that aesthetics and comfort need to be sacrificed. Masks have now become a political and social statement, rather than only a public health precaution. Researchers have proven that certain demographics such as women, college graduates and Democrats have a higher percentage of those saying they often or always wear a face mask. As much as clothes can say about a person, nowadays someone’s mask can also say a lot about them too. 

The blue disposable mask is synonymous with the pandemic. Pretty much everyone has a couple of them lying around in their car or home that may or may not have been used already. These masks are effective at blocking the majority of respiratory particles emitted from entering the air and protecting from COVID-19. This style of mask is one of the most popular, as they were some of the first masks sold at the beginning of quarantine. Although these masks are effective, the single-use nature makes them less environmentally friendly than other options. Additionally, there’s no opportunity to make a fashion statement when wearing them since it’s the equivalent to wearing the default option before outfit customization in a video game.

Reusable cloth masks are very popular. They are better for the environment, allow for individuality and are overall more cost-effective. Since lockdown, many people have started sewing their own masks to protect against COVID-19. Different mask shapes, adjustable ear loops or masks that tie behind the head can offer a better fit than the traditional surgical mask. Additionally, most people find them more comfortable for everyday use. Cloth masks come in all types of colors, patterns, and designs to complement any look.

Researchers have proven that 100 percent cotton masks are the most effective at preventing particles due to the structure of the fibers. Cloth masks with at least three layers are also proven to be more effective to block smaller particles. Filters provide additional protection from particle exhaustions but vented masks do the opposite as they allow air to escape. Lots of people have been having fun matching their mask to their fit by playing with color and design. 

Using a bandana as a face mask is proven to be less effective compared to the surgical and standard cloth mask. Although this style of mask is usually used as a last resort if you forgot a mask when out in public, it is less recommended since it doesn’t prevent droplet spray as effectively. Also a con of this style is it does make you appear like you have the intention of robbing a bank. 

Neck gaiters have gained popularity during the pandemic. They provide added comfort and breathability. However, they are proven to be less effective than other styles because they are made of synthetic materials that are proven to be less effective against droplet containment and are often only one layer thick. As of recently, neck gaiters have faced controversy over their effectiveness. Researchers have proven that gaiters made of synthetic fleece may actually spread droplets more intensely than not wearing a mask because the droplets are aerosolized. 

Anti-maskers have begun to express their dislike for mask mandates by wearing masks made of mesh or have holes in them. Although this would add breathability and comfort, it defeats the purpose of masks which are intended to prevent droplets from spreading. If you wear a mask with holes in it, there is a strong chance you might be called a “Karen.”