By Kiersten Hacker

Over 260,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 complications since the pandemic began. The U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 deaths and has broken global records for daily coronavirus cases and hospitalizations, in addition to states shattering their own records. Recently, the record for daily cases increased to 200,000 on Nov. 27, doubling the record of 100,000 daily cases reported on Nov. 4.

Cases have been spiking nationwide since the start of winter and flu season and as more holidays pass by. Many states have taken new precautions, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consistently urged Americans to refrain from Thanksgiving travel and gatherings.

Despite the risk, many people traveled and gathered with family members. Thanksgiving air travel in the U.S. saw heavy traffic, setting pandemic-era records.

Prior to Thanksgiving, Maryland experienced an uptick in infections, especially in areas that have been the most impacted throughout the pandemic, like Prince George’s County. The county decided to remain in phase 2 of reopening in late October following a spike in coronavirus cases and updated its phase 2 guidelines on Nov. 15. Some phase 2 restrictions include required face coverings, capacity limits for different facilities and gatherings limited to 10 people indoors or 25 people outdoors. 

As states take new precautions, some individuals fear the possibility of another wave of coronavirus infections that will lead to a lockdown similar to the circumstances in March, while others are optimistic about vaccine possibilities. 

Students have different feelings about the possibility of another lockdown as well. Freshman journalism student Shifra Dayak said she does not fear another lockdown, but she does fear the rise in cases, especially since people may be following guidelines more loosely now. 

“I think all of us kind of share similar frustrations that we want to get back to normal life as soon as possible,” Dayak said. 

Dayak said she feels frustrated when she sees people putting themselves and others at risk by not following pandemic guidelines.

“People have to realize that they’re not the only ones on earth and that their actions do affect other people and that if we would just all just cooperate for a few more weeks and just do what we’ve been asked to do then like things will go back to normal eventually.”

Dayak said she is optimistic that vaccines could offer a sense of normality in the future after hearing news about strong effectiveness from different companies.

Junior Joshua R. Winston said he feels we are on the trajectory toward another lockdown, but he is also hopeful and confident in a possible vaccine, which could shorten a lockdown.

 “I always tell people that we put a man on the moon with less technology that’s in an iPhone. There’s no reason for me to think that we can’t come up with a vaccine for a disease we’ve never seen in a year, prove it and give it to every American,” the junior public policy major said. 

Initial results of vaccine trials have been promising, with Moderna reporting 94.5% effectiveness and Pfizer reporting 95% effectiveness from their vaccines. In the meantime, as new cases from gatherings and reopening prompt more restrictions, Winston said, “I think it’s a weird balance that needs to get struck between people getting tired of doing precautions and the precautions being so much that people are like ‘well we’re just not going to do this because at this point we’re just not going to be able to hang out with each other.’”

Winston hopes that vaccine distribution will begin during the Spring 2021 semester, and UMD will continue to exercise caution and eventually open more in-person, socially distanced instruction and activities. 

For Dayak, the Spring 2021 semester remains a concern since she had hoped to move on campus in the spring. However, plans for the spring are still uncertain and she worries about the possibility that she may not get to live on campus for her freshman year after deciding to stay home in the fall. 

The future is also uncertain for Judith Altneu, another freshman journalism student who decided to stay home in the fall. Altneu has been following precautions at home and understands the need for another lockdown, even though she said she desires normal, pre-pandemic conditions. 

“I’m not going to give up doing what I’m doing. It just would be nice if other people just stepped in or did more,” Altneu said.

After missing the traditional start to her freshman year, Altneu said, “It’s frustrating because I feel like I’ve sacrificed so much and other people don’t seem to care that others have sacrificed so much.”  

As individuals begin to relax on precautions with new reopenings, the possibility of another lockdown adds to the uncertainty students are experiencing. With the future of her spring semester unknown, Dayak said she is left hoping that people remain vigilant in their efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

“I hope people will be responsible over the next few weeks and realize that a lockdown, if it should happen, is a small price to pay for just being safe and healthy in the long run,” Dayak said.

Featured image: COVID-19 testing took place at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union on Dec. 1

Photo by Sarah Natchipolsky