UMass Amherst students were ordered to sequester this week after a spike of COVID-19 cases on campus. As of Friday morning, there were more than 600 active cases.
Students aren't supposed to leave their on or off campus housing except to get meals or go to medical appointments.
UMass spokesman Ed Blaguszewski said many students have been following coronavirus-related protocols, but some haven't.
The school said there were about 5,500 students living in on-campus housing as the semester started, and between 7,000 and 8,000 students living off-campus.
Panelist Natalia Muñoz said she can understand why the university wanted to bring students back.
"But in a way, it set a trap for them," Muñoz said. "Because when you're that age — 18, 19, 20 — you think you're immortal. And then to tell these young people, 'Don't congregate, don't do this, don't do that' — and then when they do that, and COVID begins to spread, and now you're going to discipline them — it just seems — what were you expecting from these 18-, 19-year-olds? Their brains are still developing."
Amherst town officials have kept many restrictions in place on businesses because of the situation at UMass. Health officials in Northampton told businesses UMass students who work there aren't allowed on the job right now.
And UMass told students not to exercise outdoors or go for a walk.
Panelist Mike Dobbs said it makes sense jobs have been affected, but he doesn't understand the fresh air restriction.
"I mean, everyone who works has been affected by this pandemic," Dobbs said. "And it doesn't surprise me that it's going to come down to college students who may be working a part-time job. I'm not quite sure I understand about the prohibition about walking outside, since we've all been told that outside activities — if you're masked and socially distanced — are a lot safer than doing something inside a building. So I'm not sure I quite understand that one. But everyone's job has been affected by this."
Meanwhile, a mass vaccination site in Springfield is now getting help from the Massachusetts National Guard. Earlier this week, seniors had to wait for long periods of time outside in cold conditions to get their shot. Things seemed to improve as the week went along.
The situation got the attention of state lawmakers and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno — who sent the police to check on things.
Also this week, debate continued over how big the new Holyoke Soldiers' Home should be. Many lawmakers and veterans advocates are pushing for a larger facility than was first proposed. Governor Charlie Baker is filing a $400 million bond bill to help fund it.
One panelist wrote there should be no questions about it.
Guests:
- Natalia Muñoz, host, Vaya Con Muñoz on WHMP
- Mike Dobbs, managing editor, The Reminder
