BY: MUNA XASSAN

As students go back to school in the fall many are worried about the delta variant, a variant that is twice as contagious as the previous strains. The delta variant is a highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus strain and what makes this virus strain more dangerous is how infectious it is and how fast it can spread. Data collected in countries with high case rates show that vaccinated people can carry as much virus in their nose as do unvaccinated people.

Does this mean the vaccine is ineffective? No, it's quite the opposite. Without the vaccine, you are at risk for disease, hospitalization, and death. All students should aim to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. While vaccines may not be a cure, they reduce the risks of death or getting severely ill. The purpose of the vaccine is to help your body develop immunity to the virus. Not getting the vaccine does not only put individuals at risk but the community as a whole.

According to the CDC, one of the significant concerns with this new strain is unvaccinated people. Unvaccinated people are more likely to get infected and experience severe disease than vaccinated people. With a 7-day case average, it is crucial now more than ever to get vaccinated and reduce the risks to your life.

Amidst all these changes, one thing remains the same; all students need to continue to practice social distancing, wearing masks, and using hand sanitizers regularly in schools. This pandemic is far from over, and it is vital for students returning to school to keep this in mind. By following COVID-19 practices, we can try and keep everyone in the school environment safe and hopefully go back to how things were before.