The return to academic life at Culver-Stockton College during a pandemic has been a challenge this year.  The COVID-19 disease affects most aspects of students lives every day. Some classes are all online and do not meet face to face, and are restricted to have a certain amount of students in each class to keep proper social distancing.

As a lot of people discuss these kind of matters, there is one topic that has been quietly asked:  what it is like being in quarantine?  The Wildcat Wire asked some students who have tested positive and/or quarantined, and to protect their identities no names are being used.

First, a distinction should be made.  According to the Culver-Stockton College “Return to Campus Fall 2020” COVID update page, “isolation” is the term used for individuals who showed symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19.  “Quarantine,” on the other hand, means an individual was in close contact with a person who showed symptoms or tested positive for COVID-19.

A student described her experience being in isolation as both physical and mental.   She states “I was extremely tired and had a headache. Overall, I tried to keep well and entertained. I did school work I could and watched several shows on Netflix.”

Another quarantined student agrees. “There is not much to do other than sleep, do homework and watch the same movies and shows because Netflix has not added anything new in forever.”

Students also gave advice in case a positive test or quarantine is in your future.  “You should bring some snacks and medicine while you are in quarantine.”  This student only got the main serving line food from the cafeteria because of the quarantine.

It is not easy living in quarantine.  Living in a room and not being able to go outside or socialize with your friends can be boring and sometimes stressful.   Students are encouraged to find something to do, things to snack on, and wait for new shows on Netflix.