It is killing folks who are for example they go hiking with friends that live in another apartment across town. At Kroger, they are the majority of people not wearing masks. All of these things are against what social distancing and not mixing/mingling guidelines and stopping the spread are all about. It would appear that some of them do not understand the threat of this virus and what it can mean to others in the community and our healthcare system. There was a panel on TV earlier in April that had leaders from New River Health district, including Carilion and Lewis-Gale on regional TV. Both leaders for Lewis Gale and Carilion said that at peak the New River Health district hospitals would be overwhelmed and over capacity.

I urge you to go look at VDH (link below). 12% of the deaths in VA due to COVID are in age group 20-29 according to the VDH website. This is attacking this age group as well. Why increase that population and put them in closer proximity than they would be at home following social distancing guidelines? You can stay at home and social distance with your own, known family, or you can come to campus and have a harder time social distancing with students you don't know their exposure history? Easy choice in my opinion, it's all about risk mitigation.

First, Do No Harm.

The idea of bringing students in from mostly higher density populations with higher infection rates to a lower density population, smaller healthcare facilities and lower infection rates goes against any risk mitigation theory and standards that I am aware of.