Clocks have been set back, shorts have been put away, and the winter season has dawned upon us.

After homecoming last month, there was a surge in the amount of students at Oakland Mills getting sick. A lot of our peers came down with bad colds and were out of school for a few days. This led me to wonder if it was just the cold weather or if COVID-19 could also be a factor in this sudden spike in sickness.

Even now, almost three years after COVID-19 swept through the world, it is still an adjustment to normal life. What is the new normal? Of course it is normal for people to get sick as it gets colder since our bodies are more vulnerable to sickness. And since we are gathered inside, the winter is dangerous with sick people grouped together. Though occasional illness is to be expected, it becomes alarming when there is a spike and rush of people in a specific area getting sick. The winter weather and COVID-19 make for a bad situation, and a lot of people have stopped wearing masks, which makes me wonder if that will change soon. Although it may seem that COVID-19 is no longer an issue, it still is. Masks not only prevent COVID-19, they also help prevent most illnesses like colds and the flu.

The fear of new variants evolving everyday is serious. People should stay on top of getting their shots and booster shots. From most of the articles that I have read, they encouraged people to be cautious and to not underestimate the colder season that is approaching. While life is somewhat “normal,” the threat of COVID-19 still lingers. People should bundle up and wear appropriate clothing as the temperatures will continue to drop. There is speculation that mask mandates may return. The CDC encourages people to still adhere to the norms of winter and COVID-19 which includes keeping at minimum six feet away from others, using hand sanitizer, and wearing proper masks when necessary. Stay healthy this winter and be aware of changing guidelines and advice from the CDC.

CDC. “CDC Offers Winter Safety Tips.” Centers for Disease Control and Centers, CDC, 21 Feb. 2021, www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p0217-winter-safety-tips.html Accessed 15 Nov. 2022.