COVID-19: Masks and vaccines at Augusta University

Preston Hall | Staff Writer

With COVID-19 cases on the rise once again primarily due to the delta variant, students and faculty at some universities throughout the University System of Georgia have begun to protest the lack of a USG-wide mandate on mask wear and vaccinations. 

With significant local COVID-19 spikes, Augusta University and its President Brooks A. Keel have made it clear that, in spite of a lack of mandate, the health and safety of its students and staff are top priority by maintaining its stance of highly encouraging mask wear and vaccinations as well as providing free COVID-19 vaccines.

In his Aug. 5 townhall meeting, Keel laid out COVID-19 policies which “highly encouraged” masks and vaccines. In the end, he even put out a personal plea for all to get vaccinated.

“Please, please get vaccinated. That is the only way we’re going to get beyond COVID-19,” he said.

COVID-19 is still causing havoc in Richmond County, Georgia. Since Aug. 31, 2021, positive cases have increased 15%, and approximately 1,345 people have tested positive, according to the Center for Disease Control.

On Aug. 31, 2021, Augusta University offered its second free COVID-19 vaccination clinic where, if students attended, they would receive either the Moderna shot or the Pfizer shot. The goal for the vaccination clinics is to get as many people vaccinated as possible.  

“We are offering both Moderna and Pfizer as we receive them,” said Gina Thurman director of Student Advocacy. 

AU has allowed vaccinated students this semester to decide if they would like to wear a mask or not but have posted signs throughout the campus as well as sent emails strongly encouraging mask wearing. 

In Richmond County, only 29.2% of residents have been fully vaccinated while 34.5% of residents have received at least one vaccination shot, according to the CDC website.

The CDC website states that while being vaccinated does not mean that you are 100% protected from COVID-19, it does mean that if you were to contract COVID-19, your symptoms have a higher chance at being less dangerous and extreme. 

As students and professors at AU have the option to wear a mask once they have been vaccinated, a mix of both groups have emerged on campus. Students when asked are open to discussion regarding their knowledge and worries about COVID-19. 

James Waller, a junior at AU, said when asked about the vaccine clinics that he knew about the clinics and likes AU’s current stance on masks.

“Yes, I am aware of the vaccination clinics that are being offered here at AU. I feel safe and like that vaccinated student get the choice of wearing a mask,” he said.

When asked if she knew of the vaccine clinics, AU professor Taylor Walker said, "I did know this, and I think these are wonderful for increasing access to and awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine.”

Charlie Hannah president of the Richmond County Board of Education said that the Richmond Country BOE implemented a mandatory masking mandate starting August 2 and does not have a specific end date.  This mandate means that it does not matter if an individual has been vaccinated or not; everyone must wear a mask as well as practice social distancing. 

“There is no end date for wearing masks,” he said. “We cannot begin to discuss the infection rates continuing to rise, and vaccination rates are not high enough to prevent another wave of COVID-19 cases."

The CDC website tells us that the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the other variants is to continuing wearing masks as well as wearing proper face masks. Washing hands and social distancing are also other effective ways that students can help slow the spread and to keep school in person. 

 Contact Preston at prhall@augusta.edu

Pictured at the top vaccine buttons that were given to students at the clinic on campus (photo by Chris Woods.)