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The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

Official newspaper of The University of Texas at Austin

The Daily Texan

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October 4, 2022
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Help UT students properly distance themselves in outdoor areas

MacCormack_spraypaint_1109_color
Emily MacCormack

As the weather turns cooler and more Longhorns head to outdoor spaces on campus, we need to remember that the pandemic is still with us. At a time when COVID-19 cases are at a new high with 33,000 cases in Travis County alone, we must remember our responsibilities to contain the spread of this virus. 

In order to maintain social distancing measures on campus, UT should create more safety procedures in outdoor areas. 

Picnics and outdoor study groups have been a great way to socialize and combat the fatigue of online classes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 spreads via respiratory droplets, which are projected whenever someone talks or sneezes. In outdoor areas with wind and greater air flow, the rate of transmission is significantly decreased. 


With that said, outdoor transmission also depends on the behavior of the group involved. While socializing outdoors does have a lower risk of transmitting COVID-19, outdoor activities still require people to remain at a 6-foot distance and wear a mask when possible. 

However, students in large groups often ignore these guidelines. Frequently, the lawn on the South Mall is covered with groups of maskless Longhorns crowded around a single picnic blanket to eat or share notes. 

Anthropology and government junior Kalyann Palacios frequently studies out on the lawn and has noticed the same trend. 

“A lot of times groups tend to huddle or circle, (but) it’s important to stay socially distant,” Palacios said. 

To ensure that students still follow social distancing measures outdoors, UT should create a physical reminder of the virus’s ability to spread. One possible solution is to spray paint socially-distanced circles on the front lawn and other outdoor areas. 

At the beginning of the semester, when my French professor had our class outdoors, she asked UT to spray paint socially distanced, 6-foot circles in the lawn between Homer Rainey Hall and Calhoun Hall. It was a great way to remind students how to distance themselves and stay safe. Inside the circles, we could socialize and attend class. 

Susan Hochman, UT’s associate director for assessment, communications and health information technology, said the same safety principles apply to indoor and outdoor gatherings. 

“Risk reduction is multi-layered, including decreased density, social distancing, masks, proactive community testing, contact tracing, limiting number of participants and duration of exposure, and symptom screening through the Protect Texas Together app,” Hochman said in an email. 

Hochman also indicated that some students were given safety kits which included a 6-foot tape measure to properly space themselves apart. 

It is commendable that UT has taken some steps to enforce social-distancing guidelines outdoors. However, spray painting circles in outdoor spaces would be another helpful reminder to students who may have forgotten their tapes or those unaware of the risk of transmission outdoors. 

UT’s current policy regarding the outdoor areas places most of the responsibility on the students themselves. While this is arguably reasonable to expect, it is not always realistic. Simple solutions like the spray-painted circles can go a long way in creating a physical sign that the virus is still transmissible in outdoor areas. They also remind students of their responsibility to reduce community spread. 

As another virtual semester looms closer, UT should consider implementing more social distancing measures outdoors to combat pandemic fatigue and limit the spread of COVID-19 on campus. 

Barker is a government sophomore from Arlington, TX.

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Help UT students properly distance themselves in outdoor areas