By Christopher Garrett
Frederick County’s health department reports 1 in 4 residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The number of vaccinated people has doubled since March 19.
As Maryland has opened vaccinations at an advanced schedule, all residents aged 16 and older are now eligible to receive their shots. Hood College’s recommends all students, faculty and staff get vaccinated.
Colleges such as Rutgers, Brown and Cornell have announced they will require students to be vaccinated by the fall semester. Hood College has not decided as to vaccination requirements yet.
With growing vaccination rates, Hood College intends to open with normal, in-person classes this fall, starting Aug. 23. Until then, the summer semester will primarily be taught online.
Students who have been fully vaccinated can fill out a form if they wish to disclose their status to Hood College. Doing so currently removes some restrictions in cases of exposure.
Students should check their emails for updates from wellness@hood.edu for guidance on finding a walk-in shot clinic or scheduling an appointment. Self-requested screenings are still in effect for students who wish to be tested.
Vaccination requires two doses, 21 or 28 days apart depending on which vaccine is administered. Students who are planning to leave town for summer vacation are encouraged to receive their vaccines sooner as systems in place do not allow for multiple vaccination sites.
Hood College is planning to hold commencement ceremonies multiple times to accommodate the large number of students, most of whom have RSVP’d to attend. In order to maintain social distancing, the college will have as many as three ceremonies.
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