@privatebanker, I’m not going to be convinced by some guy in Italy saying covid is mutating to be less lethal. Where’s the research?
I agree. It would be good news if accurate. And sometimes those at the tip of the spear dealing with actual cases do notice things. And the Professor or medical director and head of infectious dieseases at a hospital in the country that was the epicenter should hardly be characterized as some guy.
At least on CC
Prof. Dr. Some Guy MD, PhD. Lol.
^I’ve seen the report of that research by some Italian doctors and its rebuttals at least a couple of weeks ago.
It’s new today and updated from the beginning of June. That’s why I mentioned it. Not sure what’s changed.
But maybe it’s not accurate and he’s just a crazy doctor trying to get famous. I have no idea.
Professor Doctor Some Guy, MD, MPH, PhD, needs to do some research if he wants to make a convincing case, not just shoot off his mouth.
Why is it anything remotely positive meets such vitriol?
Maybe the doctor believes it sincerely and is an incredible scientist. That can be true as well. This is very fast moving and real time.
It’s probably wrong. Just like most of what everyone said at various times along the way Including the W.H.O. Dr Fauci. Imhe. Un of Washington. CDC. NIH. Politicians. China. USA. England. Italy Spain. And French researchers.
It’s just a data point and isn’t going to change global health policy.
Thanks @CT1417
UM’s plan is almost the same as UC Berkeley plan.
The students are now waiting to see exactly which of their own classes/discussions/labs will be held in person. They won’t know until all the registrations are completed I suppose.
Regarding the claim from Italy that the virus is weakening, do you mean this?
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-italy-virus/new-coronavirus-losing-potency-top-italian-doctor-says-idUSKBN2370OQ
https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/coronavirus-weakening
The claim has been disputed:
Lower viral loads as Zangrillo claims to observe could be due to social distancing measures that result in people who do get infected being infected with smaller initial doses of virus.
Michigan’s endowment per student is 259K, Bowdoin’s is 900K per student… I’m sure that could fund some purchased protective gear?
While trying to stay positive and look on the bright side, even in the midst of pandemic, is something I practice every day in my personal life, the value of these pandemic threads to me is the very intelligent and thoughtful posters taking time to link, evaluate, and discuss new reports and research. Thank you.
I don’t know enough about Berkeley or Michigan to really comment, but I thought that Berkeley was limiting housing to a freshmen but even then, certain groups (Pell grant students, a female STEM group, etc). I cannot figure out what Michigan is doing. Is it only freshmen who live on campus usually?
Or perhaps you meant the two schools are following a similar in-person/hybrid/remote instruction format?
Every U-M school and college is working with our Provost’s Office and health professionals to ensure that our students’ unique academic program needs are met in ways that maximize safety and quality. Generally, large classes will be held remotely, small classes will be held in person, and medium-sized classes will be a hybrid of the two. Classrooms will be configured to provide physical distance for instructors and students. Schools, colleges, and units will work to every extent possible to address any individual concerns, especially with vulnerable members of our community in mind.
Given the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fall term will be active though different than what our returning students experienced this past spring. Many of the finer points are still to be determined, but we can say that residence halls and dining facilities will be open, albeit with adjustments for physical distancing and other safety measures. Students will also see boxed meal options and staggered timelines for activities like move-in and dining. In the weeks to come, Housing will provide more specific information to students planning to live in the residence halls.
We told our S19 we would be willing to do something similar if he and his friends were interested. At the moment his school is planning to open, contingent upon the ok from NYS. But if they are unable to open, we will encourage him to live with friends together somewhere. D17 essentially did that in the spring, staying with her two roommates in their off-campus apartment when their school went online. Having that independence and in person contact with at least a couple of friends/roommates versus stuck at home with family, is something we’d be willing to pay for to help him stay connected both with his college as well as his peers.
Actually, it was you that on June 3 pitted the “wealthier LACs” whose “particular product goes beyond mere certification” against “their rich, largely eastern, Ivy equivalents”.
As you can see from my response in [url=http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/22838999/#Comment_22838999]#5623[/url] I only used “HYPMS+” as a shorthand for your longer epithet, and merely noted that “the speed and certainty with which universities announce their intention to reopen campuses appear to be in inverse proportion to the strength of their brand and financial position.”
If “wealthier LACs” are now beginning to come out with the same plans you only recently decried as [url=http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/22856794/#Comment_22856794]impotent[/url], I am not sure it is me that is being “proven wrong” here.
I try to be equally vitriolic for questionable claims that are negative. For example, if you look back you’ll see I’ve been skeptical about doomsaying about Florida, and (in my view) worse than questionable claims about deaths among students in colleges that choose to reopen.
Honestly, after reading the very long committee report, I get the feeling that campus life was going to be very restrictive, so restrictive that they wouldn’t even be able to offer anything even close to the experience pre-pandemic. I think Bowdoin has decided their financial situation can handle no room and board for most kids and the possibility of many gap years. They seem to be protecting the Bowdoin experience - not wanting any semesters to look pandemic-like. And they must believe that the plans of the other NESCACs aren’t likely to work or to offer the students what they want in the LAC experience they expect.
I just wish they could tell us if the kids can come back if they take a break. Add some beds to common areas. Figure it out so students are somehow guaranteed to be able to come back after a gap if they want. Without that, it’s very hard to make an informed decision.
“I just wish they could tell us if the kids can come back if they take a break.”
@homerdog Why can’t they tell you that? Did you/anyone ask?
@ucbalumnus that was from the beginning of June. The article already linked previously is today.
Debunked and challenged are two different things. And there are so many disparate views and interests at play I would keep an open mind.
It’s stated that Bowdoin cannot promise that students can return when they want. Sophs, juniors, and seniors who take a break and want to come back in fall 2021 “may have to wait until spring 2022 depending on how many gap years are requested.”
And for freshmen,
“After receiving your request, an admissions counselor will talk with you about it; depending on how many deferral requests we receive, you may be required to defer your enrollment to the fall of 2022.”
@homerdog But we already knew that. Of course campus life is going to look very different, but isn’t it kind of ridiculous not to at least give students the choice?
@homerdog, I understand your questions and concerns about the uncertain consequences of opting for a gap semester in the fall in lieu of online classes. This seems like a great question to ask during tomorrow night’s town hall (for returning students and their parents).
Like you and @4kids4us we are talking to our son, an incoming sophmore (same class as your son, I believe) about getting a house somewhere (not necessarily Brunswick) and setting up a “pod” with close friends.
There is no perfect answer or solution that applies to all. We just have to navigate this uncertain time and learn from each other.