By: Ashlyn Brothers
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)—The coronavirus pandemic caused a change in the nation’s narrative as normal routines become uprooted. Fayetteville was notified of a presumptive positive case of COVID-19 on March 17, 2020—the first confirmed case in Northwest Arkansas. This individual is a family member of a Washington Regional provider, who began 14-day self quarantine within nearly 36 hours of exposure. That person remains symptom free.
“We confirmed with the Epidemiologist of the Arkansas Department of Health that there is an extremely low risk that this provider would be infectious from the period of exposure to self-quarantine,” said J. Larry Shackelford, president and CEO of Washington Regional Medical System.
With that being said, the CDC characterized WRMS’ staff as low risk and does not recommend self-quarantine for those who came in contact with the provider prior to self-quarantine.
Monday marked the first day of online classes for students attending the University of Arkansas, effective through the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic semester.
“In an abundance of caution, with the health and well-being of our campus community in mind, we felt like this was the most prudent decision at this time,” said Mark Rushing, assistant vice chancellor of University Relations. “There are some scenarios that the planning team has considered including if a member of our campus community or Fayetteville community, perhaps, is diagnosed with a case of COVID-19 that there may be additional steps that we would need to take.”
Those steps were taken following the first confirmed case in NWA. All online instruction will continue, but all on campus events were canceled until further notice, effective Wednesday, March 18. This means all university operations and activities, not including essential operations, have been moved to remote means of accessibility. Those limited, essential on-campus operations such as public safety, health, dining and transit will continue, although anyone utilizing those resources must adhere to social distancing and other preventative measures recommended by the CDC and the Arkansas Department of Health. Accessed areas will be cleaned and disinfected thoroughly. Students with active housing contracts will not be permitted to return to University Housing managed residence halls, apartments and Greek houses after April 3, 2020.
While many students assumed this was coming, nothing could prepare them for the vast repercussions. International students and those in campus housing worry what this could mean for their dining and housing contracts. For many, this means navigating uncharted territory and a fear of access to course materials.
“We will have a class time but maybe it won’t work every time, and late assignments and how will that be handled, and my Internet is not working,” said Mary Francchia, UA senior. “I can’t turn in homework, so what do we do? It’s kind of fear of the unknown, and also the fear of wanting to be here for graduation and that not being set and stone right now.”
In an email sent to students, Chancellor Joe Steinmetz said, “Students may petition for an exception with University Housing for reasons including personal safety, access to Internet, no other available housing, academic distress or other legitimate reasons.”
In the meantime, select computer labs will be open, as will the Pat Walker Health Center. Deans also have the option to authorize the continuation of essential research for graduate students if safety guidelines are being practiced. Effective on Thursday, March 19, employees must work remotely unless directed otherwise by their supervisor. Employees were designated into one of three categories, including working remotely or work-from-home, on-site mandatory and available.
Graduate Assistant J.T. Tarpley believes the level of coursework will be equally as stringent, but the learning curve will be easier than many anticipate.
“I think if you can get on social media, you can get on your classes and take care of it that way. That’s kind of how I feel about it,” said Tarpley. “I am in the same boat as everybody else. I’ve got to finish up my work for the semester too, so I think where there’s a will there’s a way.”
The coronavirus raises many other red flags across campus, as questions remain unanswered. While extra sanitary precautions are important, as well as the physical well-being of the campus community, students remind everyone of the financial implications and emotional stress they face moving forward. Some students have lost their jobs while others in the Greek community have been forced out of housing. With no definitive timeframe of stopping the spread, anxiety persists. Many classes’ curriculum was designed specifically for face-to-face instruction.
“I am a performing arts major with a background in photography, so four of my five classes have just been like ‘yeah, we really, there’s not a lot we can do. Umm it was good having class with you,’” Senior Taffy Kavanaugh said.
Throughout this process, health professionals, government officials and instructors alike advise everyone to be mindful of fact versus fear.
“Judge not lest ye be judged. Just yesterday I was in Walmart and I picked up three of the last eight rolls of toilet paper they had,” said Tarpley. “I am not a microbiologist. I can’t say whether or not coronavirus is scary, but I know that I am scared of underinformed panicky Americans.”