The COVID-19 virus has taken a huge toll on people all over the world. In March of 2020 it sent all Texas State students back home with no clear answer on when they would return. Students have spent the past year learning and adjusting to life being moved completely online. Almost a year to the date of COVID leaving people scared and confused, there has been an emergence of three vaccines. These vaccines are the light at the end of the tunnel of this tumultuous time. Although the world will be changed forever from this virus, we now can get some peace of mind that the world will be safe again.
Interactive Maps
Since the first vaccine emerged, Hays County has been performing vaccinations on the 65 and up demographic. With the new eligibility, there have been mass vaccinations all over San Marcos that have been heavily broadcasted, but mass vaccination clinics aren’t the only way you can get vaccinated. Many sites around San Marcos offer vaccinations where you can set up an appointment and get your shots.
I included an interactive map showing five places in San Marcos to get your vaccine, including a website you can set up your appointment on.
When the virus first hit, there weren’t enough tests for everyone. If you wanted to get tested for the virus you had to have been exposed to someone with the virus or had major symptoms indicating you were sick with the virus. Now that supplies are more plentiful, everyone can get tested and there are multiple sites where you can go.
Below is another interactive map showing five places in San Marcos where one can get tested including their address and website.
Statistics
Governor Abbott lifted the mask mandate and reopened Texas to 100%. This was a cause for concern for many because Texas still didn’t have full access to vaccines. Despite this, many businesses still required masks and limited capacity such as H-E-B. Abbott said in explanation of this choice, “With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus.”
I Included a graph showing the March and beginning of April positive and negative cases at Texas State to show how this new order affected cases at the University. The information in this graph can be found on the Texas State Coronavirus Roadmap.
According to hayscountytx.com, the county is receiving 4,680 doses of the vaccine weekly to be administered. The Texas Department of Health Services has created vaccination sites for mass vaccination events. Hays county has hosted a series of vaccination clinics, one being at the University Event Center that was allocated 6,000 doses.
The bar graph shows how many people in Hays county have had one dose and the amount of people that are fully vaccinated.
Student’s opinions
College aged students have been super spreaders since the start of the pandemic. College towns have been infected with the virus with little helping to stop the spread. The vaccine rolling into San Marcos and allowing all students to get it is a huge step in slowing the spread.
Hailey Weidenfeller and Bailey Cook are two students at Texas State who have been affected by the virus since its emergence in March of 2020. Both students received the vaccine prior to the mass rollout due to special circumstances at their places of work. Weidenfeller tells of her hardships with the symptoms post vaccination and Cook explains how she feels a sense of freedom and safety has returned post vaccination.
Both students have been positively affected by the vaccine and urge everyone their age to help stop the spread and get their vaccine.
Common myths about the Vaccine
There are many myths circulating about the vaccine that cause some people to be averse to getting vaccinated. While it is unsure where these myths originated, the CDC has debunked many of them on their website. One common myth is that the vaccine can make women infertile. There is currently no evidence that the vaccine causes any problems with pregnancy. A second common myth is that the vaccine alters human DNA. The CDC states that “both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions to our cells to start building protection against the virus.” The next myth is that the vaccine gives the recipient COVID-19. While it can make you test positive on an antibody test, the vaccine does not contain the live virus found in COVID-19.
I created an infographic, using Canva, giving 5 facts about the COVID vaccine that people should know when considering getting vaccinated.
President Trauth has announced that with recent vaccinations and the lowering of COVID cases in San Marcos, fall classes will be 89% in person and 11% completely online. In-person classes will be offered at 100% capacity. In addition, on May 15, Sewell Park will re-open to the public and all in-person activities and events will resume this fall.
