Effects of Student Life on the Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Spread at University

• Published in: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness 2022-08, Vol.16 (4), p.1-1291
• Main Authors: Sial, Moska, Purohit, Manavi, Bone, Matan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: College campuses; Colleges & universities; COVID-19; Extracurricular activities; Letter to the Editor; Pandemics; Public health; Risk assessment; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Social behavior; Students
• ISSN: 1935-7893; 1938-744X
• DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.494

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been a pandemic in need of controlling. The disease has taken its toll on universities; as a consequence, universities must prepare their campuses in such a way that will reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 and ensure the safety of their students. This is why it is necessary to critically assess the risks involved in reopening university campuses. This letter to the editor highlights the importance of the social side of student life on campus and how it might affect the precautions put in place to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Furthermore, this letter is proposing potential courses of action for universities to take during the pandemic for the forthcoming academic year. The ability of universities to contain the spread of the virus is limited, as they lack control over social interactions outside of campus. We discuss the multifaceted approach needed to educate students about off-campus transmission to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission.