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COVID-19 shows no signs of abating and a vaccine will be available in 2021 at the earliest. Nonetheless many universities are moving ahead with plans to reopen this fall. 1/
Despite the efforts of administrators and even students, colleges will be hotbeds of transmission: “These plans are so unrealistically optimistic that they border on delusional and could lead to outbreaks of Covid-19 among students, faculty and staff.” 2/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/15/opinion/coronavirus-college-safe.html
Dormitories are especially hazardous, given the unavoidable proximity and culture of defiance integral to American college life: “If you are a college administrator considering opening residence halls to students in fall 2020, think twice.” 3/ https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2020/06/12/architecture-expert-and-bioethicist-explore-problem-residence-halls-during-pandemic
Most worrisome is how plans to reopen are often formulated by administrators with no input from instructors and other frontline workers who will be most exposed. 4/ https://www.wbur.org/edify/2020/06/11/professors-coronavirus-anxiety
This thoughtful thread makes an excellent argument for universities to move online. Almost everyone prefers in-person instruction and understands the financial impact. But better to prepare for reality now than deal with inevitable outbreaks later. 5/ https://twitter.com/jimgoldgeier/status/1271948542127505409
Life with COVID-19 will not return to “normal” any time soon. Colleges should have an open and honest conversation about the trade-offs with everyone—students, parents, instructors, staff—instead of doggedly pursuing reopening plans that are unavoidably risky. /6
Any work that can be done remotely should be done remotely. This is not optimal but it is realistic given the circumstances. It is also responsible. Ultimately, this will help protect everyone—those who can and cannot work remotely—from potential exposures. /END
