The number of COVID cases has been dropping and local governments have been updating mandates and requirements as we head into month 26 of the pandemic. As Larry Ding reports, USC is also following this change on campus.
Starting tomorrow, USC will no longer require weekly COVID testing for fully vaccinated students with booster shots. We asked USC students if they’ll still feel safe on campus.
It could be irresponsible on one side because, I don’t know, I think it’s just important to continue to get tested, especially as I know, like even today, I know someone who like, tested positive. So like, I mean, they still is COVID on campus.
I’m actually OK with like the weekly testing. I feel safe that way. But I’m not actually quite happy with like the cancellation of all the testing stuff.
I do hope that people will still take advantage of it just because, you know, it’s a resource, it’s very easy to do. I think it’s helpful overall for everyone. I don’t know. I’ll probably still keep getting tested. But I guess like, it’s a little less stressful because I won’t have to worry about getting tested to get to my classes
Honestly, I think it’s kind of great. I think it’s a lot more convenient for the students to just use that time to work on their schoolwork and whatever’s more pressing that week.
L.A. County also announced that starting March 12th, the school mask mandate will be lifted. USC is expected to follow suit, with a recent email announcing plans to remove the mask mandate during spring break. Last month, USC Chief Health Officer Sarah Van Ormann stated the university’s plan to follow L.A. County’s decisions regarding masks.
We feel like it’s going to be safe to remove the mask mandate when we reach that point where levels are low and we are such a highly vaccinated and boosted community and we have good air quality that and people can always choose to wear a protective mask if they want. So we’re feeling very confident that when the L.A. County mask mandate falls from a public health standpoint, we’re going to be in a good place as at a campus to also let that mandate fall and still have people safe in the classrooms.
These plans have not been confirmed yet, but we may be able to return to normal soon.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Larry Ding.