RCTC students head back to class, some still concerned about COVID

(ABC 6 News) – As college students start to head back to class, some return to in-person learning for the first time in years because of the pandemic.

“I took a gap year so I’m excited to finally get back to school,” second-year student at Rochester Community and Technical College Mullen Delima said. “It’s pretty nice to come back after three years.”

For other students, they’ve spent the last few years of high school online.

“Well, I’m actually a freshman. This is my first year of college, so it’s interesting and a new experience but fun,” Abby, a first-year student, said.

Masks are no longer required at RCTC except for in clinic and health care areas.

Some students ABC 6 News spoke with aren’t concerned about COVID-19 anymore.

“No, not at all. Everyone seems pretty safe and we know that if it spiked up again they’d take the procedures for it,” first-year student Alyssa said.

Others still remain cautious especially because they also work in hospitals.

“Covid is always going to be a worry of mine, I think it’s always going to be a worry,” Delima said.

RCTC said it “will continue to monitor, through the CDC and MDH, the emergence of other viruses that may adversely impact campus community, such as Monkeypox. Right now case counts (of Monkeypox) are relatively low across the state.”

Some students don’t know what to think but aren’t as concerned about Monkeypox as they are about COVID.

“Yeah, a little bit because that seems to be spreading a lot quicker than anyone thought it would. But, what’s good is that we have vaccines for it,” Delima said.

In the meantime, these students aren’t letting it get in the way of their new school year.

“I mean, don’t let it stop the fun I guess,” Delima added.

RCTC students and staff need to follow the latest guidance from the CDC regarding COVID-19.