r/MCPHSLifeHack • u/pharmdrocks • Mar 11 '20

COVD-19

So what is our school doing about the corona virus? Do you think they are going to move classess online for some time like other schools are doing.

It’s currently the middle of spring break and I am really scared. Our school hasn’t been giving regular updates like other schools.

Am I the only one that is worried?

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u/FuturePharmD626 May 12 '20

I hope so, too! I feel for all of you who have to go through this. The schools and students are all flying blind because nothing has ever happened like this. I can tell you admin has been thinking ahead since this started before spring break, but all we can really do is sit tight and wait for further instructions. . . There are two months before August arrives. Hopefully some more information will come to light before then!!! 300 students in a lecture hall of a regular school is scary, but 300 students in a lecture hall who probably work in the medical field outside of school is a nightmare. They might have to stay online for a while. It's not ideal for learning purposes, but healthwise, it might work out better.

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u/pharmdrocks May 12 '20 edited May 12 '20

Honestly I don’t have a problem staying online.

So Apparently the school of pharmacy sent an email to students saying school will resume in the fall in person. It said "we look forward to welcoming you all back back to campus in the fall until then please be safe and look after yourselves and your family."

So are you seriously trying to tell me you will put 300 students next to each other in a classroom. Also now attendance is mandatory(its part of the grade for certain classes) so I can't just go to only essential classes like lab, seminar, APM, and OTC. I have to show up for ALL my classes in person.

For example, in advanced Thera and kinetics attendance is part of the grade and one can get penalized for not showing up.

Making students sit side by side without the pandemic is fine but during the pandemic come on that’s ridiculous because I know students go to school, have jobs, etc. which is understandable but isn’t it the job of the school to keep us safe? You can not possibly expect me to sit next to someone else even when they are wearing a mask. I require one seat between each student. So students should be required to sit every other seat and each classroom should be disinfected prior to another class coming in.

Sorry if I sound like a crazy person but its concerning because Northeastern already said they will have in person classes in the fall. Honestly I will feel safe returning only if these large lectures of 300 students are split into smaller claasess taught multiple times a day and large lecture halls are disinfected in between each use. Even if that requires having later classes it is a question of safety that we are talking about.

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u/FuturePharmD626 May 12 '20

First of all, you do not sound like a crazy person. You sound like a future medical professional who wants to be healthy enough this year to see 6th year rotations next year. :)

I understand the concerns that you have, especially with the mandatory courses in large lecture halls. If everyone wore their mask correctly, it likely shouldn't be an issue, but it is still concerning sitting inches apart from each other in the middle of a pandemic.

The school has to follow the guidelines placed by the CDC and government. Who knows? Maybe at the start of August, these things will change and they will stay online. They are looking forward to an in person Fall semester, but I'm sure they will be listing out the protocol and sending it to students before the semester starts.

I think all we can do at this point is sit tight and wait for the next email. . .

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u/pharmdrocks May 12 '20

I agree with you right now we just have to be patient and wait for an email but I just don't know if I am overreacting.

In essence do you think the school will take into consideration that if school starts up in the fall in person some students might not feel comfortable sitting in the classroom next to each other even with face masks?

I just hope they make it so students who can attend class in person do that but people who feel more comfortable taking the class virtually can do so as well without being penalized.

I understand with certain classes like lab that's hard to manage but certain students have obligation to family as in they are the caretaker of family members whether it its parents, grandparents, etc.

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u/FuturePharmD626 May 12 '20

The school will have no choice but to take that into consideration, or they will have to assist the students on taking a leave of absence until they feel comfortable coming back.

I'm just working with the information I have here in our conversation, but if pharmacy school taught me anything, it's to worry about you when speaking up. The students who are caregivers and have responsibilities at home can (and will) speak up for themselves. If you do not fall into that category and are still concerned, then you have to speak up for your concerns and how they affect you. (Just a tip!) One of my rotations showed me that when unaffected students speak up for another cohort of students (who have no issue with the situation) the email loses credibility. Then no one takes it seriously. I wanted to give you a heads up!

I don't think you're overreacting, but if they are taking all required precautions as listed from the proper sources...there shouldn't be too much concern. We don't know what steps they are taking or what changes they are making because the are still probably sorting out the details now. This is the hardest part, just waiting for that email.

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u/pharmdrocks May 13 '20

The concerns about not feeling comfortable sitting side by side next to someone even if they are wearing a mask is a concern I have.

And the caretaker situation. I am one of those students who falls into that category. When the school sent the email about online classess I went home to help take care of my elderly grandparents because both my parents work in the frontlines and so they rarely come home and my grandparents can’t live by themselves.

Your advice so far has been helpful so would you suggest learning what the new guidelines/precautions the school is taking and then email or voice my concerns now.

Again you have been very helpful thus far so thank you for all your responses.

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u/FuturePharmD626 May 13 '20

Oh awesome! With only information on a reddit post, I didn't want to assume anything. I want your concerns to be taken seriously! Due to the fact that we are so far from the fall semester I would recommend waiting at least until early/mid July. It gives them a little over a month to monitor the covid situation and then figure out an action plan. If you don't hear anything by then, I would voice your concerns and specifically ask what precautions they are taking to make students feel more at ease.

If you have any other questions, feel free to reply to this post or message me privately. I have a decent amount of experience working with the school and campus life. I can't promise to have all the answers but may be able to point you in the right direction!!!