The Wellness Center in Doyle Hall
Courtesy of: Morgan Kilger/The Bona Venture
BY: MORGAN KILGER, FEATURES EDITOR
On the day of his wedding anniversary, Dr. Philip Payne, chair of St. Bonaventure University’s history department, felt ill. During his classes that day, he joked that his anniversary gift to his wife would be taking a nap. Payne continued his day feeling worse, even having to miss his last section of the day.
When Payne arrived home that night, he attempted to “sleep off” his ill feelings. When he woke up the next morning, he decided to take a COVID test.
He tested positive.
Over the past month, students and faculty at St. Bonaventure University have been testing positive for COVID.
The CDC recommends extra hygiene steps, treatment, staying home and masks, according to its website.
“If students are feeling unwell, they should get rest and stay home,” said Del Rey Honeycutt, associate dean for student and community wellbeing. “Avoid other people, wear a mask, use good hand hygiene and disinfect surfaces. It is no longer required that we isolate, but it’s important to be thoughtful and not spread your germs to others.”
Celeste Robbins, a sophomore cybersecurity major, said she followed these procedures when she recently had COVID. However, Robbins said she felt the university could do more to provide for those who are ill and can’t leave their rooms.
“I reached out to Residence Life and they said they could try to get me in a room in Francis [Hall],” said Robbins. “When I reached out to them again, they said there were none available due to other people with COVID there.”
Robbins said she believes the student population could do more when it comes to the health of their peers.
“I feel like a lot of students [still] believe that COVID is not an issue,” said Robbins. “There is an outbreak on campus, and having worked in a healthcare setting, I tend to take diseases more seriously than other students might.”
Honeycutt said students and faculty should take precaution when it comes to interacting with their peers.
“No one enjoys feeling unwell, even if it’s minor cold symptoms, so be considerate,” said Honeycutt.
Payne said that public health is a concern that applies to people other than those who are ill. He said he took precautions with his students that kept them and everyone they interact with safe. One of these precautions was not coming back to class until he tested negative.
Payne said he socially distanced and wore a mask in his classes where he had high student interaction.
“If I had to get close to people, I wore a mask,” said Payne. With rising COVID cases, the university said it’s urging students to follow the guidelines posted on the Bonaventure website under the heading COVID and Respiratory Virus Guidelines.
kilgermi22@bonaventure.edu
