North Dakotans: Take precautions and be safe!

It’s clear as we walk down the halls with half our classmates that COVID-19 is still among us. We may be back to in-person school part time, but cases in North Dakota have not gotten better. It’s actually quite bad for how low-populated the state is. Within the past few weeks, North Dakota has received national attention from recording the most new cases per capita in the country, according to US News.
As of September 30, the ND Department of Health reported: 3,662 active cases, 447 new positives adding to the 89 currently hospitalized, and 249 deaths. Each day the daily positive rate is around four to seven percent, which has increased from the usual two to three percent from earlier this year. North Dakota’s daily positive results also have increased, along with deaths each week.
Many wonder why, of all the states in America, how is North Dakota’s case rate so much higher? For one, most states have a mandated mask requirement during the pandemic. North Dakota is one of the few states that only has some mask requirements and simply encourages mask wearing. Looking around the Fargo area, most people see not wearing a mask as not being a good citizen. However, on the western side, it’s quite the opposite. Hardly anyone wears masks on that side of the state, and it’s showing in the daily reports per each county.
Even though masks are not mandated everywhere like they are in our neighboring state Minnesota, wear them! It’s not only protecting yourself, but others around you in case you may be asymptomatic. It would also be smart to keep your distance from anyone outside of your family and close circle of friends. College students especially are the ones who’ve been catching and spreading this virus rapidly. NDSU currently has 140 positive cases among students and staff, and UND has 98 positives. Younger people may not feel the effects of the virus as hard as the older citizens, but you should still take precautions to avoid the virus to protect the people you’ve been around.
There are many tips the Center for Disease Control has put online to protect us against the virus. Simply washing your hands often, social distance, and wearing a mask will do wonders in protecting you and others from COVID-19. Also it’s more important now than ever to stay home and away from others if you are feeling any sort of sickness. The Coronavirus has a wide range of symptoms, so it’s better safe than sorry to monitor any symptoms you have and stay home. Even with people being asymptomatic, it’s very hard to know who has the virus and who doesn’t.
After over 180 days of dealing with quarantines, online school, and many events and activities being canceled or postponed, everyone is getting tired of this virus. Not only is this hard on the students, but imagine how much extra work this new hybrid learning is on teachers and staff. Life is very tough for all of us right now, but we will all get through it together by following the guidelines put in place for our safety. If we all do what is encouraged and requested by the government and teachers, hopefully our cases will begin to decline. So please, be cautious and be safe, so we don’t have to endure another painful round of Zoom Academy.