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By Riley Ferguson
** Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals interviewed.**
The holiday season brings joy and happiness to families throughout the world. However, COVID-19 has caused a nose-dive in happiness for many over the past seven months.
With winter break rapidly approaching, Marian University students, faculty, and staff have been trying to figure out how to get their family members together while in the midst of a global pandemic.
Marian has been extremely persistent in their efforts to avoid campus spikes that could cause an issue with returning to campus after winter break. Marian University President, Dan Elsener advised the campus community via email on October 16th that, “as the holidays approach, please keep in mind that gathering in groups, even in your own homes, increases the risk of a viral spike of COVID-19 on campus.
Will students, faculty, and staff break their family traditions of getting together in large groups due to the pandemic?
Marian University senior, John Snow, has plans for his family of 35 to come together for Thanksgiving. Snow said that “my family is not that worried about the virus. We live in a small town and rarely surround ourselves with large groups.” Snow said that he has grandparents that are high risk for COVID-19 and that they will stay home and Zoom with the family during the event.
Beau Balch graduates in December and has no plans to let COVID-19 affect his ability to be with his large family on Thanksgiving. Balch said that “quarantine has caused me to not be able to see my family as much as I want to, and I am going to make it a point to be with them.”
Remember, COVID-19 is still affecting people all around the world. Everybody is encouraged to follow CDC guidelines for the duration of the virus. It has affected our lives for the past seven months, but we must move forward with caution and do so safely.