COVID-19 Questions and Concerns

On Thursday morning Melissa Blasius hosted the meeting alongside three other individuals who did their best to address common questions about the virus. Blasius questioned the medical professionals about the importance of masks. Fonseca, a doctor at the mayo clinic, explained that masks are important during the time of this virus because someone who isn’t aware they are infected yet, could be spreading the virus to more people each time they aren’t wearing a mask. When asked if they actually protect from the virus, Fonseca said he is unsure if they completely eliminate transmission but continuing to wear one can protect your entire community which will help the health care system as a whole.

With cases rising all throughout the state, many parents are concerned to send their children back to school. Questions of whether it is safe or not and what safety measures will be taking place have been asked. Will Humble who is the Executive Director for Arizona Public Health Association explained the difficulties that school boards are facing when making decisions about the next school year that is approaching. “While it is good that schools are making plans to go back, it is difficult to make the call when the case numbers keep rising,” Humble said. The learning component and social development that comes from a normal school setting is very important to children’s growth, however, if virus tracking modules continue in the way they are going, Humble says he isn’t sure how they will do it.

Aside from schools, the next concern was regarding daycare centers. Professor Joe Gerald, a University of Arizona Professor that writes a weekly report on the coronavirus in Arizona, said many parents need to decide what is safe for their family. While young children still remain a low risk, they are a threat to the individuals around them. Struggling to have distinct answers to all of these questions, Dr. Franseca said, “It is impossible to know the right decision. There aren't any correct answers out there right now.”

With Arizona having two very large college campuses in their state, college campuses reopening has also been a question and concern for many. Gerald mentioned the major risk of reopening is having everyone back from all of the different states they are from. This poses a major risk. Arizona State has released its program of “ASU Sync” which will be a remote way of learning for individuals who do not feel ready to come back. For those that do feel ready to come back, ASU announced they will be holding face to face Fall classes, with safety precautions in place. Whether that will change or not due to the cases rising, remains unknown.