Finals week at Michigan State University is stressful. Throw in a pandemic and a new virus variant, and the stress might be reaching a fever pitch.
But students are finding little wins — and little wins can go a long way at a time like this.
A new COVID-19 variant called omicron was identified in the United States.
And although we don’t know much about it yet, Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail said a lot will be figured out about it in the coming weeks.
“It’s important to know that it’s a variant of concern, we don’t know a lot about it yet, most of what you’re seeing about it is scientific hypothesis based on anecdotal observation of things,” The Vail said. “The studies that are gonna be going on in this next week or two will really give us the answers to the primary questions of this variant.”
MSU Student Lucy Desmet is encouraging all of her peers to continue to do their part.
“I think that the quicker that we can get used to this, the better off that we’ll be. So masks indoors, social distancing, doing what we can to make good choices,” she said.
And one of those choices might be getting your COVID-19 booster shot.
Elizabeth Carr is the communications manager for Olin Health Center on Michigan State’s Campus.
“The CDC recently strengthened their recommendation to anyone over 18 years old, we know of course that they are safe effective, and free, so anyone who has had their first two doses of Pfizer or Moderna is eligible after 6 months since their last dose or 2 months after the single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, definitely an important piece of stopping this pandemic,” Carr said.
International Student Danil Sargeev is planning to get his booster shot, so he can go home to see his family.
“I’m getting Moderna just to see my Dad in Austria, and I might get a new dose of Sputnik, that’s a Russia vaccine, when I go back to Russia to see my Mom,” Sargeev said.
And while the booster might give individuals some side effects, it’s also giving them a sight to the end of the pandemic.
Graduate Student Ritan Ganguly received his booster shot on Wednesday. He hopes others will do the same so normalcy will be a reality once again.
“I guess this is kind of the start of the end, I don’t know — hopeful,” Ganguly said.
Those interested in getting their COVID-19 booster shot can visit MSU Health Care Pharmacy to schedule an appointment.