Southern Schools During COVID-19
Laura Moshier
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA—I vividly remember rejoicing at the fact I would be getting a whole two weeks off of school back in March. I had been complaining to some of my friends the days before about how we had no breaks the entire month of March. But now, I was free: free from school, free from responsibilities, and free from worry. I had absolutely no idea what would soon be coming, but I don’t think anyone truly did.
I am sure this unfortunate time has been different wherever you are from, but in Columbia, South Carolina, it has been a rollercoaster. During the first few months of the pandemic, I saw many precautions, such as social distancing and self-quarantining, take place. Of course, this was neither easy or fun, but many understood their sacrifices would ultimately benefit the community. However, I quickly saw everyone, including myself, slip back to normalcy. In March and April, my friends did group social distancing activities. Our go-to was meeting in a parking lot and sitting on top of our cars. We would bring snacks and blankets, and the memories of the months before began creeping back. It was great to be able to catch up face to face, but it was not the same as it used to be. There were no sleepovers, no last-minute dinner plans, and no photoshoots. And if you don’t know, these things are very important to the average teenage girl or at least to my friend group. Honestly, we just missed each other.
After a little bit of time had passed, my friend group’s annual May beach trip approached. We all mutually decided we would still go, trying to social-distance as much as possible. Once we arrived, it was as though no one had ever heard of COVID-19. The beach was packed, and no one was wearing a mask. When we went out to eat at a restaurant, not one employee wore any sort of face covering. It was like we had stepped into a completely different universe, where everything was fine. I was completely shocked.
Upon returning home, the school season was approaching. My school’s plan was to go back to campus with a hybrid schedule. Those who did not feel comfortable to physically be on campus could do virtual learning from home. Those who would attend school on campus in August would be required to wear a mask and social-distance. I am fortunate enough to attend a private school, where I had done virtual learning in the spring, and to have the choice to pick what situation would be best for me for the fall.
I decided to go to school on campus, along with most other students. A very small percentage of students actually selected online, less than 10 percent. I think everyone was quite anxious to get back to school and return to normalcy, to some extent. After completing my first couple of days of my junior year, however, I realized nothing is normal. Usually on the first day of school, I try my hardest to look presentable. My idea of a typical school day for this fall semester was tainted before class even started. At my school, everyone waits before their lecture in the common areas. There are seats and tables that usually encourage kids to make connections with each other and form friendships. Now, Social distancing was not only encouraged, but required, and there were no exceptions. Everyone would have to adapt. While I understand these precautions are for public health benefits, it’s just not what any teenager wants their high school experience to be like.
Actual class feels like the most normal part of the day. Besides the walls of glass between students, learning is pretty much the same as it used to be. Although there’s no possible way to keep a whole high school six feet apart at all times, my school has done a good job of coming up with new ways to avoid big crowds of people. For instance, in each building there are designated up and down stairs, creating a flow of traffic between classes. Overall, this method seems to be pretty effective. Lunch has also been completely redone. Instead of one period for lunch, it is now split up into two. The freshman and sophomores eat together and the junior and seniors eat together, at a separate time. Greatly reducing the amount of interactions between students, separate lunch periods, glass dividers, and specified staircases are an easy way to limit the spread of COVID-19.
While I might not know what the future will look like in South Carolina, I think everyone is doing the best they can. Honestly, all I want is to be able to stay in school for as long as possible. As things slowly begin to change, it’s important for everyone to keep in mind that their actions not only have an effect on them but on everyone else as well.
To learn more about how to keep yourself and others safe, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting- sick/prevention.html for more information.