Mahliat Tamrat ‘23
Photo courtesy of Ashley Kennedy
A growing concern that students and teachers will show COVID-like symptoms with the upcoming cold and flu season has the potential to make COVID tracking difficult. Mike Letts, Head of Upper School, details how the colder weather may impact all members of the EA community saying, “Especially as it gets more chilly, we are going to have more students and faculty inside, and there will be more coughs and runny noses, which will concern all of us.” Caden Collins ‘23 is worried about the possibility of confusion, noting, “I’m really nervous about the cold season that’s approaching because it’s going to be really hard to differentiate what is a common cold and what is the virus. People who have COVID might dismiss their symptoms by saying it’s just a cold when in reality they could be putting themselves and everyone around them in danger.”
EA’s administration has discussed the incoming cold and flu season but has generally decided that there will not be too many dramatic changes to their protocols. Instead, they are relying on students to be honest in their daily screening surveys and stay at home if they are showing any symptoms – cold or COVID-19. Letts thinks that whether students and faculty think their symptoms are flu symptoms and not COVID, they should stay home, saying, “We’d rather be safe than sorry. Usually, when students catch a cold they just take some cold medicine and power through the day, but we do not want that this year. We want you to stay home and we want faculty members to stay home because we want everyone to be safe.” Additionally, the newly-created COVID-19 operations team will allow procedures to adapt if needed. Letts explains, “I think that the protocols are always evolving to some degree. We also have our operations team that meets a couple of times each week to discuss how distancing is going and new guidelines from the CDC.”
EA will also encourage students and faculty to take their own precautions to fight the virus. “We have really encouraged students and employees to get their flu shot this year, to help provide more protection. Anything students and faculty can do to bolster their immune system, like flu shots and hygiene, are highly recommended,” Laura Hurst, Director of Health Services, explains. She states that this year, “taking any precautions regarding your health is crucial.” Letts stresses the importance of remaining truthful on the daily screening surveys as the winter season approaches. “Everyone needs to answer those questions honestly and err on the side of caution.” Despite concerns, EA has faith it will be able to safely continue school with the same protocols. Lett reassures, “So far the kids have been fantastic at respecting each other and understanding that we all have a responsibility to protect our collective health.”