Into the Orange Tier: What this new tier means for USD
Into the Orange Tier: What this new tier means for USD
Maria Simpson / Assistant News Editor / The USD Vista
Within the past few months, there has been a struggle in San Diego to bring down COVID-19 cases enough for life to begin to feel somewhat normal again. Whether it was going to the movies, dining inside your favorite restaurant, or working out at the gym, everyone has missed something. On April 7, San Diego County was able to move into the Orange Tier due to the COVID-19 case rate falling below 6 cases per 100,000 residents. Cases have been falling rapidly, moving from the Red Tier to the Orange Tier in less than a month, with the help of more than 20 million doses within California according to the LA Times. It seems like there may finally be a light at the end of the tunnel after over a year of the pandemic’s reigning control on our lives.
California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy explains all of the loosened restrictions, which includes indoor seating at restaurants, movie theaters, and restaurants at 50% capacity, gyms open to 25% capacity indoors, and retail stores being able to operate with no capacity limits.
Yet another sign that normalcy is getting closer is Governor Newsom’s statement that as long as hospitalization rates remain low and the vaccine stays readily available, it is possible that California’s economy can reopen completely on June 15. While the exact policies following this reopening are not yet clear, it has been stated that certain public health measures, testing, and contact tracing will stay in place. However, the tier system and the Blueprint for a Safer Economy will be tossed out. Newsom also mentioned that as the state opens back up, education, including institutions of higher learning, will also be permitted to carry out in-person instruction.
First-year Katri Gardner shared her thoughts on the possibility of having in-person classes.
“I’m really excited to have classes in person,” Gardner said. “I’m tired of Zoom, I think everyone has a lot of Zoom-fatigue. I’m excited to see my professors in person and meet more people in in-person classes … I think opening back up to have in-person classes will only benefit the community.”
Junior Chloe McDonald commented on the ease of restrictions and shared some concerns about everyone returning to campus.
“As a soon-to-be senior, I like the idea of being in person in a lot of ways,” McDonald said. “I do think that if students are still afraid or they haven’t gotten the vaccine for whatever reason, they shouldn’t have to come back and I don’t know how they would do that because it’s hard to have everyone in person except a couple of people.”
As the county moves into this new tier, USD’s community guidelines will also be affected. A statement from USD was released from Student Affairs in an email on April 9, detailing what moving into the Orange Tier means for students on campus. Beginning the week of April 12, some classes will be taught by hybrid instruction. This will primarily apply to labs, research, studio, and performance courses. According to the Core Connect guidelines, the Orange Tier permits gatherings of up to 50 people. This opens up the possibility for clubs and student organizations to meet in person as long as all school guidelines are followed.
“I think right now we’re very disconnected from each other in a lot of ways… that environment of having college clubs and college events would be a lot more beneficial than just sitting on your computer screen in your room,” McDonald said.
Within recent weeks, the USD community has seen indoor dining return in the SLP, mass take place inside the Immaculata, and campus recreation previously stated that the Bosley Fitness Center will be reopening on April 19. And now, there is a distinct possibility of in-person classes next semester. There is no denying that life in a pandemic has been difficult in numerous ways, but as restrictions continue to ease, it is beginning to look a little brighter.