Whether you have a stuffy nose or a never-ending cough, it has become hard to tell what virus you may have after the pandemic. As the fall and winter season is right around the corner, the inevitable drops in temperature will increase the risk of getting sick.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control released a statement on Sept. 14 describing the three diseases on the rise from flu, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) which have cases spotted across America. These viruses can carry similar symptoms to one another, but for a quick answer to what you have been feeling, an at-home self-test is recommended. Doctors view these tests as the best option to keep yourself and others protected by taking them at home, as opposed to coming in for an appointment.
However, purchasing test kits are not easily accessible for all. But, in recent actions from the Biden Administration, each American household can purchase up to four COVID tests free of charge. To prevent a possible shortage as cases increase, $600 million in funding has been put toward producing more at-home tests.
Orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov beginning Sept. 25, and no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service.
With the uptake in cases, a new COVID-19 booster vaccine was approved on Sept. 12 by the Food and Drug Administration. The vaccine will be supplied by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech which targets the XBB.1.5 variant, and the CDC recommends everyone six months or older take the shot.
Prior mandates for COVID-19 vaccination at Los Medanos College had a “good response,” according to President Pamela Ralston, but the new booster is currently not required. Ralston said the campus “encourages it” but “not mandating it right now.”
For counties such as Contra Costa, the risk of disease remains on the lower side of the spectrum, resulting in no drastic changes to virus protocols. At LMC, normal sanitation and sick leave procedures are set to continue. However, for anyone on campus who may feel under the weather, free resources are available such as COVID-19 test kits, face masks and hand sanitizer.
“We have a protocol when people get sick,” said Ralston. “We do an extra cleaning in any of the spaces that they’ve been in and make sure they stay at home and protect each other.”
After the pandemic, LMC is increasing campus activity as more courses and events are being held in person. But as more virus cases slowly pop up and people adapt to a new normal, taking sick days has garnered a new point of view. LMC Director of Marketing Juliet Casey and Ralston agree that people are “a lot more mindful” of the steps that need to be taken if a test turns positive.
“Generally, I’ve noticed on campus, people will mask when they have a sniffle or an allergy or anything, and people tend to air on the side of caution on this campus,” Casey said. “But I do feel like my colleagues and even students have sort of the collective best interest at heart.”
With the colder seasons, holidays are near, and travel or family gatherings are expected. Ralston describes the importance of staying aware and safe by reminding the campus community to, “keep your hands clean, wear your mask and come home safe.”
