The second semester has begun and students seem to be coughing and sneezing their way through the first wave of assignments. Alongside the flu and the common cold, the Coronavirus is on the list of illnesses that have been bringing students and faculty down.
Many respiratory illnesses peak during the colder months. This is because of the increased amount of time spent inside and the constant rising and falling of temperatures. Coronaviruses tend to live longer during the cold, dry season because the aerosolized particles of a cough of someone who has been affected by COVID-19 stay in the air for longer periods. A 2020 study conducted in New South Wales, Australia showed that a 1% decrease in humidity increases the amount of COVID-19 cases by 6%.
Getting infected by the Coronavirus is almost inevitable around this time of year, but there are ways to prevent the likelihood of retracting the disease. The CDC suggests that all Americans should receive all recommended vaccines to mitigate the effects of the tripledemic (COVID-19, the flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses).
Dr. Michelle Klein, a pediatric endocrinologist at Uptown Pediatrics and Assistant Clinical Professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai Hospital, said, “It seems like COVID is becoming more of a seasonal virus like the flu. We are recommending COVID boosters each year like the flu shot.” Wearing a mask, keeping your distance and washing your hands are other ways to stay safe.
At Fieldston, the standard CDC recommendations apply. Teddy O’Rourke, Director of Campus Services, said, “It’s important for all members of our community to continue practicing strong hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and remaining home when sick. As a Health Services team we continue to monitor our regional and national COVID-19 metrics and will communicate any pertinent updates should the need arise.”
