What is Penn State Thinking???

[BRETTPSU]

So my daughter, nursing major, is headed to Hershey this fall for her junior year clinical rotation. She just got word today that she will have to report August 14th for a 9 day quarantine till classes start the 24th. We had a last minute family vacation planned that will now have to be canceled but that's beside the point. Please tell me how the hell students being at school 9 days before classes is going to be safer than them staying home. What do you think students are going to do for 9 days when they have nothing to freaking do?

 

[AvgUser]

They aren’t thinking.

 

[Sullivan]

So my daughter, nursing major, is headed to Hershey this fall for her junior year clinical rotation. She just got word today that she will have to report August 14th for a 9 day quarantine till classes start the 24th. We had a last minute family vacation planned that will now have to be canceled but that's beside the point. Please tell me how the hell students being at school 9 days before classes is going to be safer than them staying home. What do you think students are going to do for 9 days when they have nothing to freaking do?

Your post contradicts itself. It sounds like your daughter wasn't staying home

 

[demlion]

So my daughter, nursing major, is headed to Hershey this fall for her junior year clinical rotation. She just got word today that she will have to report August 14th for a 9 day quarantine till classes start the 24th. We had a last minute family vacation planned that will now have to be canceled but that's beside the point. Please tell me how the hell students being at school 9 days before classes is going to be safer than them staying home. What do you think students are going to do for 9 days when they have nothing to freaking do?

If it is indeed a "quarantine," as you say, then what she should NOT be doing is all the party-time activities to which your post alludes.

 

[Art]

So my daughter, nursing major, is headed to Hershey this fall for her junior year clinical rotation. She just got word today that she will have to report August 14th for a 9 day quarantine till classes start the 24th. We had a last minute family vacation planned that will now have to be canceled but that's beside the point. Please tell me how the hell students being at school 9 days before classes is going to be safer than them staying home. What do you think students are going to do for 9 days when they have nothing to freaking do?

Suggest your daughter contact the appropriate person in the program to determine if there is an alternative.

 

[mrmk5110]

Sounds like she wasn't going to be staying at home for the 9 days regardless.

 

[BRETTPSU]

We was going remote camping in the ANF. Pretty sure you can't get much safer than that. Does anyone seriously think the students are going to stay locked up in apartments for 9 days?

 

[ApexLion]

Our D's move in date at the University of New Mexico was moved up so she could quarantine for 9 days as well. We bought masks, face shields and gloves for her to use as necessary. Am I concerned about her safety? Not really. I understand its older people or those with preexisting conditions who are at risk and she's not in either category. She doesn't want to get anyone else sick that may be adversely affected.

 

[BobPSU92]

This is what quality leadership looks like.

 

[RGWhirly]

We was going remote camping in the ANF. Pretty sure you can't get much safer than that. Does anyone seriously think the students are going to stay locked up in apartments for 9 days?

If she is going to be at Hershey and in the hospital right away for her clinical stuff, uh yeah she should.

 

[interrobang]

If she's in a clinical rotation, isn't that a bit different than just a regular student? I mean it sucks, but it makes sense.

 

[MontereyLion]

It's really hard to think when your head is struck up your ass. Give them a break. I like the heads up they gave you. I guess they think their students and families don't have anything else going on . Pony up for a Covid test Penn State. If you can afford to flush close to $400 million down the toilet...give or take.. to make yourselves feel better about Sandusky, you can afford Covid tests for your students.

 

[Obliviax]

pretty good thread, IMHO. We need to be patient, really, It is new to everyone and nobody has a clue what to do. There is a balance between locking everything down (not feasibly possible and doesn't comport to the strategy of lowering the curve) and opening it all back up (which will result in more damage and deaths).

Factor in your personal situation, gather the family, think through your options and do the best you can.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

If she is going to be at Hershey and in the hospital right away for her clinical stuff, uh yeah she should.

Yes, this should not be hard for OP or daughter to understand.

 

[BobPSU92]

It's really hard to think when your head is struck up your ass.

Maybe that’s my problem. Hmm...

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

We was going remote camping in the ANF. Pretty sure you can't get much safer than that. Does anyone seriously think the students are going to stay locked up in apartments for 9 days?

If your daughter is not interested in doing what is necessary to be part of the medical field for this crisis, then she should fine another career choice. Or is this about your vacation? My son is a year 4 surgical resident, not at Hershey. He was one a 1 week on 1 week off rotation during the height of the Covid period in late spring. It lasted nearly 2 months for him where he was required to quarantine for the weeks off. He didn't even have contact with Covid patients. He did it to prevent any issues. I think you and your daughter need to understand the sacrifices necessary to be in the medical field.

 

[PSUAlum]

If she is going to be at Hershey and in the hospital right away for her clinical stuff, uh yeah she should.

This could be Penn State Hershey making the 9 day quarantine requirement. I am surprised it is not a 14 day requirement since she will be in a hospital. She also may be in lock down for 9 days when she reports, since she is a medical student. If I was running a place like Penn State Hershey, I would not trust students to use common sense to stay safe like I would expect from normal medical staffs.

 

[Obliviax]

hey guys, lighten up a little. Guy is a father emotional that his family vacation got blown up and he is out some fairly substantial time/scratch with his daughter.

 

[Big 0]

Since your daughter will be starting at Hershey, I assume she will be doing clinical rotations in the hospital. The hospital is going to protect its patients from infected individuals the best it can. The quarantine rules may actually be hospital rules for new students in all patient care disciplines. The quarantine rules make sense to me in that regard.

 

[psuro]

Yawn. Complain to your Congressman or Senator that your rights are being violated. I think that's the tact "people" are taking.

 

[MontereyLion]

This could be Penn State Hershey making the 9 day quarantine requirement. I am surprised it is not a 14 day requirement since she will be in a hospital. She also may be in lock down for 9 days when she reports, since she is a medical student. If I was running a place like Penn State Hershey, I would not trust students to use common sense to stay safe like I would expect from normal medical staffs.

Even more reason to Covid test all students returning to Hershey Medical School.

 

[jrd23psu]

So my daughter, nursing major, is headed to Hershey this fall for her junior year clinical rotation. She just got word today that she will have to report August 14th for a 9 day quarantine till classes start the 24th. We had a last minute family vacation planned that will now have to be canceled but that's beside the point. Please tell me how the hell students being at school 9 days before classes is going to be safer than them staying home. What do you think students are going to do for 9 days when they have nothing to freaking do?

It's very simple. If they report 9 days early and quarantine they can be tested, verified they are negative for COVID and then monitored so that they know for a fact they have not come into contact with other people who could be positive. The whole point of a quarantine is that you do not go out and you do not see anybody else. It's so they can say "these people are negative for COVID and we have verified they have been quarantined with us for the last 9 days so they have not been in contact with somebody who we don't know."

The other option is your daughter goes on vacation with you and comes into contact with who knows how many other people and then reports to work at Hershey Med with sick people.

Do you honestly not understand how these are two very different things?

EDIT

We was going remote camping in the ANF. Pretty sure you can't get much safer than that. Does anyone seriously think the students are going to stay locked up in apartments for 9 days?[

This is irrelevant. They can't verify that. Every student could say they will be in the woods for 9 days leading up to starting. They would have to let every other person stay home as well. This is being done so they can control this situation since these are people going to work in a hospital.

 

[Achowalogan]

This could be Penn State Hershey making the 9 day quarantine requirement. I am surprised it is not a 14 day requirement since she will be in a hospital. She also may be in lock down for 9 days when she reports, since she is a medical student. If I was running a place like Penn State Hershey, I would not trust students to use common sense to stay safe like I would expect from normal medical staffs.

Plenty of current HMC employees vacationing at the beach , etc. Temperature checks at the front doors M-F, employees go directly to department for screening on weekends- does every department screen?

 

[RGWhirly]

hey guys, lighten up a little. Guy is a father emotional that his family vacation got blown up and he is out some fairly substantial time/scratch with his daughter.

Hell, many of us have had vacations blown up since MFing COVID.

 

[Obliviax]

Hell, many of us have had vacations blown up since MF I gotta COVID.

Right....and I'll bet you they were all pissed.

part of the problem is that there are no rules....the lateness of the decision has caused problems. This is, again, frustrating but when logic sets in after emotion subsides, understandable.

 

[BobPSU92]

Yawn. Complain to your Congressman or Senator that your rights are being violated. I think that's the tact "people" are taking.

While we’re at it, is “nursing” RACIST. ?

 

[NC2017]

We was going remote camping in the ANF. Pretty sure you can't get much safer than that. Does anyone seriously think the students are going to stay locked up in apartments for 9 days?

Of course not. I drive on College Ave nearly every day and mask/social distance compliance is very (very, very) low. If Vegas is laying odds on non compliance, bet heavily on the kids ignoring the rules.

 

[Agoodnap]

I wonder what all of the other medical personnel at hospitals all around the country are doing on their time off work? Anyone think they sit at home alone and quarantine while waiting for their next shift?

 

[psuro]

While we’re at it, is “nursing” RACIST. ?

Yes. It's the "n:" word. Pay attention.

 

[Lion8286]

I wonder what all of the other medical personnel at hospitals all around the country are doing on their time off work? Anyone think they sit at home alone and quarantine while waiting for their next shift?

I'll put you in charge of finding out. Report back next week.

 

[bdgan]

My daughter who is starting grad school at Virgina Tech is doing the same. She knew in early June that they would be starting early and would have to quarantine in place prior to the start. They were also told exactly how the semester would play out: all classes online and the labs are in person at 25% capacity. Furthermore they were instructed on social distancing: no restaurants, no bars, no large gatherings and masks at all times. If they want to get the semester in, it will take a group/community effort to keep everyone healthy. (Their words not mine)

It seems that the difference between PSU and VT are that PSU decided late.

Personally, I think as soon as the undergrads hit town, regardless of university, all bets are off especially because of the bars, partying, etc. I just don't see 18-21 year olds taking this seriously.

Classes online and labs at 25% sucks. If that's the case, have classes online from home and have a 1 month on site lab session. It sounds like a plan to maximize revenues.

 

[BBrown]

I wonder what all of the other medical personnel at hospitals all around the country are doing on their time off work? Anyone think they sit at home alone and quarantine while waiting for their next shift?

My guess is they sleep for a good portion of it.

 

[Safety Blitz]

Maybe that’s my problem. Hmm...

Might explain the constant Blue pigmentation.

 

[step.eng69]

While we’re at it, is “nursing” RACIST. ?

Only if there are not enough nipples to go around at dinner time.

 

[ChandlerPearce]

We was going remote camping in the ANF. Pretty sure you can't get much safer than that. Does anyone seriously think the students are going to stay locked up in apartments for 9 days?

If the students want their designation......they better. Hospitals take security and adherence to protocol very serious....simply wearing unauthorized apparel will get you escorted out....and students have zero cache to bargain with. It is fine to do what you want, till it is time to do what you need. Hopefully your daughter realizes the importance of complying with their instructions.

 

[NJPSU]

My daughter who is starting grad school at Virgina Tech is doing the same. She knew in early June that they would be starting early and would have to quarantine in place prior to the start. They were also told exactly how the semester would play out: all classes online and the labs are in person at 25% capacity. Furthermore they were instructed on social distancing: no restaurants, no bars, no large gatherings and masks at all times. If they want to get the semester in, it will take a group/community effort to keep everyone healthy. (Their words not mine)

It seems that the difference between PSU and VT are that PSU decided late.

Personally, I think as soon as the undergrads hit town, regardless of university, all bets are off especially because of the bars, partying, etc. I just don't see 18-21 year olds taking this seriously.

Yeah I went to an outdoor wedding recently and the 20 something crowd didn’t give 2 shits about the virus. Packed like sardines on the dance floor, sweating, drunk and partying. I have to admit if I was 21 and at PSU I probably wouldn’t care either.

 

[fastlax16]

It seems that the difference between PSU and VT are that PSU decided late.

A bunch of people on here were critical of psu potentially making decisions too soon a month or two back stating they had more time to see how things played out and that a decision would be premature. Now we have people saying they decided too late. Can’t win.

 

[psu00]

If your daughter is not interested in doing what is necessary to be part of the medical field for this crisis, then she should fine another career choice. Or is this about your vacation? My son is a year 4 surgical resident, not at Hershey. He was one a 1 week on 1 week off rotation during the height of the Covid period in late spring. It lasted nearly 2 months for him where he was required to quarantine for the weeks off. He didn't even have contact with Covid patients. He did it to prevent any issues. I think you and your daughter need to understand the sacrifices necessary to be in the medical field.

A surgery resident doing 1 week on, 1 week off? Hell, that’s a cushy residency.

 

[cvilleelkscoach]

A surgery resident doing 1 week on, 1 week off? Hell, that’s a cushy residency.

not really. The week on generally consisted of 2 to 3 24 hour shifts.

 

[Kiber]

Sadly, the reality is that we all have 2 main choices. With this virus (ANY virus) we will never be at "zero". In other words, there will never be a day when we are at "zero" out of 330,000,000 people. The odds are that when you are dealing with 330 million people, there will be some people with the virus. And C-19 is showing to be capable of being very A-symptomatic in many people.... people walking around functioning perfectly and still test positive. C-19 also has a 2x spread factor, so by logic, if 1 person has it, 1 can infect 2... 2 can infect 4... 4 can infect 8... and eventually we are back to pandemic levels.

So, we really have 2 choices:
1. We can all shelter in place, quarantine ourselves and lock ourselves in isolation until a vaccine is found.... asking the world to quarantine an indefinite time is probably not a reality.
or,
2. We can begin to move on with life --- trying our best at safety protocols --- to keep infections & spreads as low as possible.

RE: #2. No one has a "perfect" answer. People are trying to make the "best possible" decisions in a bad situation. Yes, of coarse you can have college kids report 9-days early, try to keep them quarantined as best as possible and 1 could still go down to the gas station or the Sheetz and catch C-19 from a person at the Sheetz counter... bring it back on campus and get more students infected.... There is no "perfect" solution. It's all "best case" and "limiting" possibilities.