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Fall semester in a new view of COVID-19

The fall semester at Oklahoma Christian University has officially begun, which has brought back traditions such as big chapel and singing the alma mater. In the light of COVID-19, Oklahoma Christian has taken precautions to keep the fall semester within a normal parameter.

Over the summer break, the state modified the COVID-19 guidelines and lifted the mask mandate. Because vaccination rates have increased and mask wearing has decreased, Oklahoma Christian has set new guidelines for the upcoming semester.

“The COVID-19 Campus Readiness Team will continue to closely monitor the latest pandemic information and will communicate any necessary updates,” said the COVID-19 Campus Readiness Team.

These new guidelines allowed students like junior Abby Johnson to be more prepared coming back to campus in the fall.

“I think it’s a lot better not having masks,” Johnson said. “The state says no masks are required and Oklahoma Christian follows it well.”

The guidelines allow for space in researching COVID-19, with more relaxation on restrictions while still allowing for safety on campus.

“Masks are optional,” said the COVID-19 Campus Readiness Team. “Students are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.”

New variants of COVID-19 have led to concerns from students like junior Kolten Johnson.

“I felt like students were not getting enough information last semester on both sides of vaccine and non-vaccine,” Johnson said. “There needs to be more informed consent about what they are getting instead of the school just telling them.”

Oklahoma Christian has followed state guidelines regarding vaccine recommendations and mask requirements.

“The guidelines right now are good with not shutting down the country and requiring masks,” Johnson said.

Concerns about COVID-19 during the semester are still prevalent in some of the student body.

“I think the school should be cautious and keep the flow of school consistently going,” Abby Johnson said. “Our school is doing pretty well with hygiene and the option for testing available if symptoms arise.”

The different kinds of vaccines and various variants of the coronavirus have left unknown variables for students.

“I hope the vaccine will be something that you can take if you want but will not be mandatory in order to go places, get jobs or anything else that would take away our freedoms,” Kolton Johnson said.

The COVID-19 Campus Readiness Team has a goal of the student body being 80% fully vaccinated to be completely mask free.

“Some students are very opinionated about this topic and it’s hard to find common ground without talking about the vaccine,” Abby Johnson said.

Guidelines and new research allow for Oklahoma Christian to move forward in promoting the student body’s education.

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