By Theo Klinger, Contributing Writer
How many times were you tested for COVID-19 last semester? This semester Susquehanna decided to test students twice a week, every week to keep everyone safe. Administration is attempting to prevent an outbreak, like what has already happened at other campuses, by containing anyone who could contract the virus earlier than what they could last semester.
After talking to some friends, I realized that there were multiple ways that they were tested randomly last semester. The only time I was tested I remember my throat being swabbed, but others have told me that they had to spit in a tube like we all did when we were being tested before returning to campus. There were multiple ways we had been tested, and without really knowing it, I originally assumed we all were tested for the virus the same way.
Everyone wants to remain extra safe this semester but testing twice a week seems practically impossible when it comes to balancing daily student life while being in college. The administration is expecting us to find some of the only free time we have between classes or after, to get tested every single week. The less time we have for our classes, the more stress is put onto students with doing well within the chaos of the last few semesters during the pandemic.
It seems like a small step toward making our campus safer, and I understand that the administration wants to do everything it can to keep the virus under control while students are on campus, but I think testing twice a week is a bit overkill. Especially because most students have been staying inside their rooms when they are not attending classes. Hopefully soon Susquehanna will find an alternative to keeping everyone safe. Finding free time is not as easy as they think, but I hope that no matter what happens we all continue to be safe this semester.
