After a rise in Covid-19 cases on campus, Choate’s administration decided on Tuesday, December 14, that classes would be held remotely for the final two days before Winter Break. As of Tuesday evening, 15 cases of Covid had been identified on campus as well as a number of flu cases.
In what many viewed as regrettably reminiscent of the 2019-2020 school year, classes for Wednesday and Thursday were held on Zoom, with teachers scrambling to adjust their lesson plans and email Zoom links to their students. St. John Hall and academic buildings were closed to students, and the Dining Hall transitioned to takeaway service. Athletic contests were cancelled. The Holiday Program, originally scheduled for Thursday, December 16, was also cancelled.
Boarders were given the option to remain on campus until Friday, and attend class from their dorm rooms. With permission from the Deans’ Office, boarders could return home early, before the official start of break, on Friday, December 18. Day students were asked to remain off campus.
In an email Tuesday night announcing its decision, the School noted that the move was made “out of an abundance of caution in order to minimize any possible spread of illness within our campus community given our proximity to the upcoming break.”
The number of Covid cases on campus has steadily risen since students returned from Fall Break. On December 4, Choate shifted its Covid-19 alert level from Blue to Yellow, after testing revealed one case on campus, but most safety guidelines remained the same, with dorm visitation being prohibited and masks required in residential spaces.
Many students expressed disappointment at the School’s decision, and felt that Choate had not been adequately proactive in monitoring the situation after students returned to campus from Fall Break. The School decided to test only international students, their close contacts, and any student who visited the Health Center showing symptoms. The rest of the community went untested.
According to Medical Director Dr. Miriam Cohen, the Health Center’s decisions were guided by the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Center’s experience in the Fall Term.
“CDC guidelines said that if you’re fully vaccinated, you do not need to undergo surveillance testing,” Dr. Cohen said. “But those individuals who traveled internationally were tested because that’s what the CDC said — five to seven days after international travel.” That testing revealed four positive cases.
After the Fall Long Weekend, the Health Center tested only symptomatic individuals, and none were positive. “We have students traveling home all the time and coming back, and we hadn’t seen Covid on campus.” Dr. Cohen said. “Knowing that peer schools had similar experiences, we decided that we wouldn’t test after Thanksgiving break.”
Still, many felt that the precautions weren’t enough. “I am very disappointed in Choate’s administration, said Sidharth Rao ’23. “We pay the price with more Covid-19 cases and less in-person school.”
Tuesday’s announcement sent many students hurrying to adjust their plans for returning home, with varying degrees of success. Speaking on Tuesday night, Lisa Ji ’22 said, “Everyone else in my dorm is making immediate plans of going home tomorrow, whereas I’m left alone to go home Friday on my scheduled flight.”
Danny Yoon ’24, who is from South Korea, decided against returning home over the weekend of December 12, anxious not to miss the final days of in-person learning before Winter Break. On Tuesday, he rushed to pull together last-minute plans to return home. “My opinion is that [the administration] genuinely didn’t show any respect especially to students who need to travel, especially announcing this at 9 p.m. when it’s really difficult to make changes.”
While many students were frustrated by the last-minute notice and the cancellation of sports, in-person clubs, and Holiday Program performances, others appreciated what they saw as the School’s transparency and efficiency in its communication to students.
“My family has opted for me to leave campus tomorrow,” said Aidan Gearney ‘24, referring to Wednesday. “I feel like the fact that we’re able to make that decision given the full set of facts is great.”
Dr. Cohen said that the School will support students as they navigate unstable circumstances. “We care for people until they are able to have someone come and care for them,” she said. “We will work together to make a plan, and we will not leave anyone without housing.”
Dr. Cohen said that the recent rise in Covid-19 cases is not comparable to case numbers from the previous school year.
“Last year, we were distanced everywhere on campus, including sports,” Dr. Cohen said. “And we didn’t allow anyone to travel on and off campus. This significantly prevented any spread on campus. But, significantly increased the mental health impact of the pandemic.”
Restrictions were significantly relaxed this fall. ”When we chose this year not to distance, to allow travel, to allow sports, we knew we were taking on more risk,” Dr. Cohen said. “I still believe it’s the correct choice, but it makes the numbers not comparable.”
Before returning to campus after Winter Break, in January, students will be required to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test. They will be tested again once they are on campus, with remote learning and takeaway meals the routine until test results are returned.
