social-distancing

UofSC Starts New COVID-19 Testing

As the University of South Carolina campus prepares to reopen for hybrid classes, mandatory COVID-19 testing will take place. In a few short weeks, all residents living in University Housing this fall will complete a final checklist as well as proof of testing. Clearance will not be allowed without prior information sent to the Student Health Services.

Before students arrive on campus for the first day of classes, they will be required to upload their COVID-19 testing results to the Student Health Center’s portal. This information will tell UofSC whether or not a student has previously been infected by COVID-19, is currently affected, and whether or not the student has antibodies.

On-campus testing became available Wednesday, August 19. In order to test students, faculty, and staff, a saliva-based test will be delivered. This rapid and non-invasive test allows for quick delivering results, making it an ideal choice for the school board. These daily tests will be administered with no limit in an attempt to keep the UofSC community safe.

Alongside testing, face coverings are now required in all closed spaces. Social distancing also remains in place, plus handwashing and sanitizing as well. UofSC is the only SC university to approve saliva testing for diagnostic purposes. If all goes well, it’s likely surrounding colleges will follow suit.

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SC State Fair Will Be a “Drive-Thru” This Year

This year is “a year like no other,” as that’s the theme for the SC State Fair. Instead of your regular free-for-all fling, this year will commence as a drive-thru experience. The event beings Tuesday, October 20th and ends Wednesday, October 21st. The original fair will no longer take place.

The SC fair is known for being the largest event across the state, making it necessary to enforce social distancing and healthy safety precautions regarding COVID-19. Though there won’t be any rides, the free-to-enter event will be a twist on drive-thru restaurants. From the comfort of your car, fair-goers can purchase their favorite local bites. There will also be a drive-thru cattle exhibit.

It’s important to keep the fair going as a means of giving back to the local SC community. “Our fair industry has really been devastated through the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of (the fairs) have already been held or were supposed to already have been held and have been canceled. We’re all looking for a genius way to do things and they started with the food drive aspect,” said South Carolina State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith.

While things may look a little bit different, there will still be plenty of food, fun, and family time at this year’s beloved state fair. As for 2021, the team running the show hopes to return in full swing.

News

South Carolina Announces More Restrictions as COVID-19 Cases Rise

The SC case count for Coronavirus skyrockets to over 62,245 as of mid-July. In response to the large number of residents contracting the virus, the state announces more restrictions. Gov. Henry McMaster says, “We know that young adults who are rapidly contracting the virus and spreading it into our communities frequently congregate in late-night atmospheres which simply are not conducive to stopping its continued transmission.”

This late-night curfew on the sale of alcohol is to be implemented immediately. Restaurants and bars will no longer be allowed to converge past 11 p.m. This order omits alcohol sold at convenience or grocery stores. It’s merely a precaution meant to stop young people from spreading the disease at drinking establishments. As the disease weaves through the younger generation, it’s difficult to enforce social distancing. Because many adolescents do not show symptoms of the virus, this makes transmission much more likely.

As well as the late-night curfew, McMaster rolled out limited visitation to nursing homes on July 2nd. This came as a safety precaution toward an at-risk age group, and in order to protect front line healthcare workers, McMaster tells in a tweet. These restrictions are to be enforced until further notice.

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7 Things to Do at Home while Social Distancing

Stuck at home? We know how you feel. Here’s a list of ways to beat the quarantine blues while staying productive, fit, and entertained.

Work

Those who have the ability to work from home should try to make remote employment a priority. If possible, make a designated space free of clutter and distractions, and use headphones in order to block out sound. Keeping a routine will help your daily life feel more normal. Just be sure to take little breaks!

Clean

The Center for Disease Control has lots of information on how to keep you and your family safe, recommending that frequently touched surfaces (think doorknobs, keyboards, toilet handles, and light switches) be cleaned and disinfected daily. Check their website for a detailed disinfection guide.

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Read

Bookworms now have extra free time to read something new. Check out the New York Times Best Seller list to see what your friends are talking about, or for lovers of local literature, click through to this amazing list of the best books about South Carolina (including several selections by beloved author Pat Conroy).

Exercise

Don’t let being at home stop you from being active! If possible, try to get out and take walks to get fresh air, whether on trails or simply around your neighborhood. If you want to stay indoors there are plenty of at-home workouts you can do to keep you feeling fit, no equipment necessary.

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Cook

With the ingredients you have at home, it’s important to try and eat healthy and creatively. Don’t make the same thing every day and don’t be afraid to get creative with what’s in the fridge. Try your hand at baking bread, cooking a new recipe, or making comfort food.

Binge

When all else fails, being stuck at home is one of the best excuses to watch a new series (or rewatch a beloved show for the millionth time). Amazon, Netflix, and Hulu have plenty of movies and shows to keep you busy, and USA Today has them all ranked for the ultimate binge-list. Popcorn not included.

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Support

Those who are looking for ways to help others while at home have many options. Look for blood donation centers nearby to help local community members in need. Check to see which restaurants in your area have moved to take-out or curbside pickup to help their business. Together, we can all get through this safely.