The Flat Hat March 23 2021

Page 1

Vol. 111, Iss. 2 ¦ Tuesday, March 23, 2021

The Flat Hat The Weekly Student Newspaper

of The College of William and Mary

VACCINE CONFUSION

Flathatnews.com ¦ Follow us:

ZACH LUTZKY / THE FLAT HAT GRAPHIC BY ALEXANDRA BYRNE / THE FLAT HAT

Students receive COVID-19 vaccine due to Walgreens' "congregate housing" definition ALEXANDRA BYRNE // FLAT HAT NEWS EDITOR During a COVID-19 vaccine rollout that has been chaotic at times, confusion has mounted at the College of William and Mary over eligibility requirements to receive the coveted inoculation. As some regions of Virginia moved into stage 1c of vaccine distribution last week, which includes an expanded group of essential workers, some students at the College have reported being granted appointments because they live in residence halls. The rumors, which began early last week, contend that dormitories are considered “congregate settings,” under the language used by the Centers for Disease Control and Walgreens, the pharmacy where many students were able to secure appointments. Though they are technically not eligible under Virginia’s 1b or 1c guidelines, a number of students reported that they had called Walgreens, and even the College’s Student Health Center, both of which reportedly confirmed their eligibility under Walgreens' definition. For those at the College desperate to avoid contracting the coronavirus, particularly those living in on-campus residence halls, the open Walgreens appointments seemed inviting. Students who signed up were under the impression that they were legitimately qualified. According to the Virginia Department of Health website, congregate settings do, in fact, include schools and workplaces. “A congregate setting is an environment where a number of people reside, meet or gather in close proximity for either a limited or extended period of time,” the website says. “Examples of congregate settings include homeless shelters, group homes, prisons, detention centers, schools and workplaces.” On the Walgreens questionnaire, students are presented with the option, “I am a resident or staff member in a congregate living facility.” Many students felt this option accurately explained their situation and coincided with VDH's designation. However, under the description of eligibility specifically for phase 1b, VDH defines congregate settings differently — limiting them to homeless shelters, correctional facilities and migrant labor camps. College spokesperson Suzanne Clavet also pointed to this VDH definition. “Residence halls are not included under this definition,” Clavet said in an email. “According to the information we currently have from VDH, we anticipate vaccine distribution to begin to the general public — the category under which most of our student population falls — by May.” Clavet emphasized that the College does not make its own guidelines, but rather follows those of VDH

and cannot speak for the practices of Walgreens. “I can’t speak for entities other than William & Mary,” Clavet said. “Certainly the university continues to work with the Virginia Department of Health to facilitate the vaccine distribution process with members of our community. To date, that has included only individuals eligible for vaccination under VDH’s Phase 1a and Phase 1b distribution.” A number of conflating factors complicate the situation — those with underlying conditions or who are essential workers qualify for a vaccine under 1b, which began Jan. 11. Students falling into these categories can receive the vaccine under VDH guidelines. Others find themselves doing mental gymnastics, attempting to answer the question that no one can agree upon: are college dormitories considered congregate housing? It depends on who you ask. The Flat Hat reached out to VDH and received no immediate response on the matter. Some students have pushed back on the notion that dorms qualify residents for the COVID-19 vaccine, arguing that congregate settings refer exclusively to prisons, group homes, homeless shelters and migrant labor camps. Students who make appointments because they live in a dorm, these objectors argue, are taking appointments away from those most in need. While it is possible that these appointments might be taken by higher-priority groups, it is difficult to identify on an individual level whose spot students may be stealing. As of Mar. 16, all incarcerated Virginians have been offered the vaccine. Individuals living in long-term care facilities and some group homes were eligible in phase 1a, and all those in these facilities wishing to be vaccinated received one as of Mar. 1. For other groups, such as those facing homelessness and those who are undocumented, vaccination rates are murkier. Virginia has faced a number of challenges in vaccine rollout beyond confusion over definitions. Some areas have seen an influx in “vaccine hunters” traveling across the state and beyond to find doses, while other areas see doses go unused. Doses are generally allocated to health districts based on population, which can easily be thrown off depending on how many visitors receive the vaccine compared to residents. Furthermore, though VDH has instructed counties to move to phase 1c only if they have made See VACCINE page 8

CAMPUS

Committee prepares College's Asian Centennial celebration College will commemorate 100 year anniversary since first Asian student enrollment ABBY PARAS FLAT HAT NEWS ASSOC. EDITOR

Nearly 100 years ago, the first Asian student, Pu-Kao Chen ’23, a native of Shanghai, China, enrolled at the College of William and Mary, setting a precedent for many to follow. In this upcoming fall semester, the College will be celebrating the Asian and AsianAmerican Centennial with different events and projects. “The Asian Centennial will celebrate all those at W&M, past and present, who identify as Asian or of Asian ancestry, including those from Southwest Asia—often referred to as the Middle East,” the College said in a press release. The Committee on the Asian Centennial at William & Mary

INDEX News Opinions Variety Sports News

was charged in Feb. 2021 with developing and executing the commemoration. With a budget of $50,000, the committee will cultivate awareness, launch the centennial year and develop programming throughout the Spring 2021, Fall 2022 and Spring 2022 semesters. “They have been charged by W&M President Katherine A. Rowe to develop and execute the commemoration with three goals in mind: to honor trailblazing leaders at W&M; understand and elevate the impact of Asian and Asian-American students, faculty and staff; and advance W&M’s aspirations as a global, cosmopolitan and multicultural institution,” the press release said. Though most of the events will occur in the Fall semester, a few are already underway. Friday, Mar. 26, there will be a streaming

Inside Opinions

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The Word on Reparations, Part 5: Roles Anne Arseneau '89 continues this series with a perspective on her role as an administrator in Student Leadership Development, which guides the Reparations Committee. page 3

Inside Variety

METing all the Requirements

Ashton Rodgers '21 interns at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and focuses on polychromy in Greek and Roman artifacts. page 6

of the documentary “Searching for Anna May Wong,” which chronicles the life of one of the most famous Chinese-American film stars of the 1930s and contextualizes her life in the modern day. This will be part of the Asian Centennial film series, which will continue through next semester. Tuesday, Mar. 30, the Asian and Middle Eastern Studies program will host a conversation with author Paul Ocampo about his short stories. More events will take place throughout April, all of which can be found on the Asian Centennial calendar. As co-chair of the Asian Centennial and director of the College's Asian & Pacific Islander American Studies Program, See CENTENNIAL page 8

Inside Sports

Tribe topples Camels

After trailing by six goals at halftime, junior Belle Martire led the College's women's lacrosse team's comeback to beat Campbell 16-12. page 7


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