Back on campus for the fall semester, Faith Nichols ate dinner at the Student Union this weekend and expected it to be a rather awkward situation.
There’s tape on the floor to mark “lanes.” The majority of tables have disappeared. The remaining seats have been carefully spaced 6 feet apart. And her classmates arrived wearing masks, which kept her from recognizing people she has known for years.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be easy to talk to people,” said Nichols, the president of the Student Association at the University of Tulsa. “But in reality, when you get used to it after a few minutes, it works really well.
“Things might seem weird at first, but then you just stop thinking about it.”
College campuses all across Oklahoma are hoping that’s the way students will embrace the various protocols and precautions against the spread of COVID-19 this semester.
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OSU confirmed Saturday that 23 members of Pi Beta Phi tested positive for COVID-19. OSU officials learned of the positive cases Friday night.
The changes schools are asking for seem strange at first, officials say, but won’t be a big deal once people get used to them.
How long will the adjustment take?
“It’s going be like going to a new school,” Nichols suggested. “For the first week, you’re figuring out where things are and how things are done. But after the first week, you settle in and feel comfortable.”
Classes begin Monday at Oklahoma State University. Oral Roberts University got started last week. TU and the University of Oklahoma will wait until Aug. 24, but students are already moving back to campus. And they are finding out how much has changed since in-person classes abruptly stopped last March.
Masks are ubiquitous now. Seating capacity is restricted in public areas. Class sizes have been reduced. And staircases, even some hallways, are marked “one way only.”
Some schools are even requiring temperature scans before coming onto campus.
“I know OSU will do everything in its power to keep students safe,” said Jaden Kasitz, Oklahoma State’s Student Government Association president. “The only concerns I have are off campus,” where protocols won’t be as strict.
She will have one class completely online this semester, with the others poised to go online if necessary.
“I was impressed by both our faculty and students’ ability to quickly and efficiently transition online last semester,” said Kasitz, a senior in mechanical engineering and mathematics. “And I believe as an institution we have mostly adjusted to what that looks like.
“Schoolwork online can be incredibly difficult, but with the desire to learn anything is possible.”
Extracurricular activities might be more challenging.
“There are still ways to engage students,” Kasitz said. “Student organizations and events are encouraged to be creative in providing virtual programming. Any in-person gatherings are being held with social distancing and mask requirements.”
Likewise at TU, the Student Association is working to reimagine campus events to allow social distancing.
“Things are going to look different,” said Nichols, a senior in management and economics. “But that doesn’t mean they can’t work out just as well.”
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Gallery: COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
