The Covid Fresher

FROM trying to navigate a university campus to trying to navigate parts of a city that you haven't seen before. The first week for a fresher is undoubtfully scary, but in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic is something else.

Birmingham City University have provided everyone with a Covid Pack, containing an essential mask, as well as ensuring extra precatuions are taken into account. These include two metre social distancing both around campus and in class, nanoseptic surface stickers for doors and having easily accessible antibacterial hand gel in class and around campus also. But is this true of all Universities?

The BBC stated "124 (students) tested positive" for coronavirus in Glasgow University, and it is estimated that 600 students will have to self isolate to prevent the spread of the disease, naturally implying that either their precautions were unsatisfactory or poorly enforced. On the other hand, according to the NHS Statistical Work Areas Page, there was a total of 21 deaths of people ages 0-19, yet 2,312 people aged between 40-59 showing that despite the Government's claims that young people are not being cautious enough of the virus, it is older people who are more vulnerable and should be taking the most care.

Mr EJ Clayton, a second year student at the University of Nottingham, did not know of any reported cases at his university, telling Young News "I do feel they're doing enough yes, I'm perfectly comfortable given the measures in place." However, Ms. Nott, an editor of the University of Nottingham's student paper believes differently. She stated that the university had "cut the university welfare service by 75% at a time when people need support more than ever..." as she admits to "not feeling comfortable to see friends".

Most students would already have met up with societies and engaging in the social events organised, however, Mr. Johnsons "Rule of six" prevents societies and teams, such as rugby (which I am personally involved in) and hockey, to name a few, to socialise as a group.

Ms. M. Smith, a BCU Nursing student, told Young News that she felt "hopeless" as restictions have "prevented her from seeing her family." The feeling of isolation is likely to increase the risk of mental health issues, which is naturally on the rise in adolescents normally, let alone being socially withdrawn from friends and family in an unfamiliar environment in the regularly refered to 'unprecedented' pandemic.

EDITORS PERSONAL TOUCH:

My personal experience has been generally positive. My week commenced with a monday morning seminar followed by BCU Rugby training at Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club allowing me to make friends through a medium of sport. I am yet to make good friends with people on my course but believe that after a few more seminars and group activites I shall hopefully do so. The university itself appears to be highly hygenic and is relatively easy to navigate.