@houndmom We should know more for certain in a few days but it appears that UF will open according to the plan. I spoke with a representative at housing and they are moving ahead, albeit with precautions.
If you look at the cases by county in Florida, there are some stark differences. Alachua (home of UF) has had 1700 total cases, while Miami-Dade has had 50,000+.
There are roughly 10x more people in Miami-Dade, but it has about 30x more cases than Alachua. I’m from Miami, so this is not a North vs. South bash. It’s just fact. Frankly, I feel my two are probably “safer” in Gainesville than in Miami.
As kids move into Gainesville, there will definitely be an uptick. The virus moves with people. Sadly, a lot of traditional activities will be postponed or very muted this fall. Don’t get me started of football…
Like @fl1234 said, there are some complexes (i think it’s just one company though) that are offering risk-free leases. I signed a lease for my son a month ago without an escape clause. The other complexes in town had not adopted the risk-free model at that point.
Ultimately it is your choice and your level of risk tolerance. My son is moving into an apartment where he has his own room and bathroom. He’s a freshman who endured the worst senior year in history, so we think he deserves to go to college, COVID be damned. My daughter is in an apartment style dorm where she has her own bedroom. I think they are each better off than living in a traditional dorm double room; but that’s just one person’s opinion.
Good luck and Go Gators.