The good
news, of course, is students are coming home from college for Thanksgiving, and
most are staying through Christmas and even into January! Parents who’ve been
concerned about their kids being among Covid-19 spikes (colleges, college
parties), where supervision is lax, can breathe a sigh of relief, sort of.
The less
good news, of course, is that the Hudson Valley’s Covid-19 numbers are on the
rise and expected to continue on that trajectory through the holidays. So yes, you’re
thrilled to have the children under your roof again, but understandably stressed
by everything else, and concerned your stress will negatively impact this
homecoming. It need not be so.
Writing
for the New York Times, Caren Osten Gerszberg offers some tips to keep safe and to lessen anxiety about
these very 2020 circumstances.
First and
foremost, parents, homebound siblings, and other caregivers should realize
what’s probably coming. Gerszberg quotes Dr. Julia Turovsky, a clinical
psychologist in Chatham, NJ, “Rates of anxiety, depression and general
malaise among my college patients have never been this bad, even compared to
after 9/11.” Ouch. But that’s why they need us.
READ MORE: Kids returning home in droves
Bear in
mind they’ve experienced a semester like no other in the history of college
semesters. Most classes are classes online and, because of campus coronavirus
surges, they have had to endure many Covid-19 restrictions, like anti-socializing
regulations, fewer dining options, and limited or no access to libraries and
gyms. The Association for University and College Counseling Center
Directors recently reported a 57-percent increase in anxiety among students and
an 81-percent increase in loneliness, compared to the first four weeks of fall
2019. Once it’s safe to do, many hugs will be order.
Dr. Julia
Turovsky, a clinical psychologist in Chatham, N.J. says, “Parents may need to
give them time to recuperate, hibernate and rest, and not take it personally… I
always encourage parents to share the burden by getting their kids additional
resources, such as therapy or online support, and to maintain regularly
scheduled medical appointments… The pediatrician, internist and gynecologist
are good resources to screen for issues and provide guidance and
recommendations, so parents should encourage their kids to set those up.”
But first,
you gotta get ‘em home safe. Gerszberg says experts recommend students prep two
weeks before leaving school: get a flu vaccine, avoid spending time with all
but roommates or housemates, step up hand hygiene, and wear that mask. If at
all possible, come home a week early, quarantine, and test after a week of self-isolating.
Although it may be too late for this Thanksgiving homecoming, consider this
advice when they come home in the spring.
Dr. David
Rubin, a pediatrician and public health expert at the University of
Pennsylvania, says, “A negative test a week out can work since 80 percent of
people will develop symptoms within a week.”
Dr. Anita Barkin, one of the co-chairs of the
American College Health Association’s Covid-19 Task Force, asserts, “The best
travel option is private transportation by the student or with a family
member.” She’s even released guidelines for returning home that offer risk-reduction strategies for students,
day-of-travel suggestions and tips for at-home quarantining.
It’s nice
to know folks are looking out for us this holiday season, helping us keep
things as merry as possible. Considering the alternative is continued
isolation, I feel sure we can manage within the boundaries or the suggested
restrictions. Good luck everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving.
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