UK’s decision to cancel spring break is one of the best decisions the University has made thus far this year.  

Last year’s spring break was a hotspot for COVID-19. The memes we all laughed at about those with the illness going on vacation and spreading the virus rang true as many of those returning home from Florida caused outbreaks in their towns all across America.  

College kids were no exception, as many continued to party in spite of the virus, downplaying it in favor of their activities. UK is also no exception to this, as several large gatherings have already occurred, with no social distancing guidelines followed. 

We are in a gray area in our concern and fear of COVID-19.  The spring stage of limited research led  many people to social distance and nearly everything to shut down, but as summer rolled around, more wanted to break free of their confines— even though we are arguably in just as  much danger as when this all started.  

The area is gray because of the normalcy. We are back in school and more restaurants and stores are opening   their doors. The fact that this pandemic has continued for nearly seven months has led to a sense of  normalcy, which means some of us feel as if it’s not as dangerous.  

A vaccine is our only hope to truly mitigate the virus. While social distancing leads to  fewer cases, it’s a vaccine that has the best chance of ensuring virus immunity.  

The current estimate of vaccine dispersion  to all of America is not next semester, but  around November of next year.  

Just because this is becoming the new normal doesn’t mean we should feel out of harm’s way yet. This school year’s spring break could’ve been a repeat of last year if UK didn’t decide to cancel it and instead push the semester start back a couple weeks. 

Not all college kids party, but it only takes a few to cause  more outbreaks, and then it’s back to the spring stage, exactly one year later.