Dear College,
Since we are pushing forward with opening campus without any testing, and since we know the virus will hit campus, we (as parents) would like to tell our son what to do – exactly – WHEN he gets the virus, since we won’t be there – or be able to whisk him away from campus – when he gets sick.
My son has ADHD and pre-preparation has always been the key to his success. He’s already prepped with dozens of masks, substantial cleaning supplies and more knowledge than most about how to stay safe. But when he gets sick, he’s going to need answers right away.
So I have a lot of questions and I don’t want to ask them in the midst of the mayhem, after the virus starts. Please help me prepare him for the worst case (inevitable) scenario by answering the following:
1. When my son first gets symptoms – whatever they are – should he stay in his dorm room and continue to share the bathroom with his three roommates? Or should he be tested right away – and how/where should he go for testing?
2. Are you really going to charge a “small fee” to test for a virus that could be fatal? And how much will it cost? Is it something that can be put on his bill (for us to pay), or does he need to have cash/card with him for payment?
3. Should he go immediately to quarantine when he starts showing symptoms, or should he stay in his room until he gets his test results?
4. WHERE is quarantine happening? Where/when should he go?
5. What about asymptomatic students? Is there going to be guidance for students who may have been exposed but aren’t showing symptoms?
6. If my son becomes too sick to go to class, what happens with his classes? Even if he has online access, he may be too sick to lift his head from the pillow – and/or he may fall too far behind to recover. If he has to retake his classes in the spring, will we still be required to pay full tuition?
7. If he is in quarantine, how will he be monitored? Who decides if he needs to go to the hospital? Will there be special and/or additional medical staff for quarantined students? (And how will those workers stay safe?)
8. If my son goes to quarantine, what will he need to take with him? Should he pack a to-go bag, just in case? And will someone be able to pick up things from his room when he forgets them – especially since his possessions may be contaminated?
9. Who makes sure he gets what he needs – water? food? medicine? What is the address for shipping care packages – and are they going to be delivered directly to him in quarantine, or will they sit in the UPS store until his quarantine is over (therefore defeating the purpose of sending)?
10. Will there be any communication between students/staff so that – at least – the campus knows when and where the virus is traveling – and how substantially it’s traveling through campus? Will there be a notification system for parents, too, so that we can make an informed decision – especially in case we do want to get our son home from campus?
Thanks so much, in advance, for your thoughtful answers. Really, you guys are doing great in an unprecedented time – but it’s time for us to prepare for the repercussions of opening campus without testing, and it’s time for us to prepare my son for the realities of going back!