College Kid Coming Home During a Pandemic? Here's What To Do.

As Holiday break drew closer, I would plan my outfits up to the last day. I’d leave campus with a nearly empty closet and full car trunk; a stinky, sweaty, sticky pile of dirty clothes became a partner on my journey. This ritual saved me a few bucks in quarters and an afternoon in a college-town laundromat. So, worth it. 

When I reached my driveway, my mom would make me leave my laundry in the garage. My Husker sweatshirts and Greek party tees could not grace her washer drum before a good “airing out.” I’m pretty sure at one point she muttered worries of infesting her home with bugs. Likely a good play on her part. 

In 2020, returning home for winter break is more complicated than airing out a bag of dirty clothes. Cases of COVID-19 are spiking in college-towns all across the country and the young adult age demo is the highest infection group. Over 20 percent of active COVID-19 cases are in 18-30 year olds, the highest of all age categories. Of course, specific data is determined by the local health department (here’s mine in KC), but the patterns of illness are fairly consistent in most parts of the country. 

High rates in college-aged kids are likely due to factors including: time spent socializing, going to bars and house parties, asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic spread, reverting to old routines, low adherence to masking/distancing, and increased testing surveillance. I’m worried these factors, combined with how quickly the virus spreads within the home, will create trouble for many families and communities across the US. 

We want time with our families that is comfortable, connecting, and without contagion. But we will have to work to get there. Here are some action steps for families welcoming home young adults in the form of a three-fold plan: Safe before arriving. Safe during their stay. Safe on their return. 

Author’s note: We are continuing to drive through this Pandemic without a roadmap. These are general suggestions based on what science is telling us and a bit of common sense. Every family is unique, so talk with your personal doc for specifics. 

Safe before arriving. 

Have “the talk” BEFORE coming home. Young adults are returning home, but it’s still your house, your rules. If they are going to stay under your roof, set boundaries and expectations. If they are unable or unwilling to oblige, then make alternative plans. What are those boundaries? They are what’s best for your family.

Use “I” statements to share your personal concerns and the mutual agreements that you would like to see. Explain how the boundaries you create may be hinging on a family event that you want to participate in or the health status of someone in the home. Express how much they are missed, and your desire is to enjoy time at home together without the extra stress of feeling unsafe or spending the weeks in isolation. These conversations can be tough, messy and complicated, but they are also the foundation of mutual respect and love.

Be open to safe compromises. Young adults have been navigating in a different world-space and may have very insightful ways of living life right now. Respect boundaries and what other people need to feel safe.

Get a PCR test before coming home. If your collegiate has no symptoms, a rapid antigen test is NOT reliable to determine infection status. Find a PCR test for more accurate results. Some colleges are requiring a negative test before leaving campus, or not allowing students to leave the local area at all. (I see you, Cornell.) Others are not controlling student movement at all. If not otherwise scheduled, I would ask your collegiate to test about 7-10 days before heading home. This will allow time to get the results. 

Already had COVID-19? They are not exempt from safety. We are still unclear about asymptomatic spread in those who have already been sick. If college kids get re-infected, they could still spread to others. Talk with your doc or campus health about retesting young adults who have tested positive in the past 3 months.

Put family time on the calendar. Prepare family events, if that is the way for you to connect. This will ensure variety and fun. Communities across the country are busy designing and preparing outdoor, distanced family events. Check your local sources for ideas, here’s one from our KC area. 

Prepare your home with a place for isolation, just in case. Freshen up a separate bathroom and bedroom with good ventilation to use if anyone becomes ill. Gather comfortable and effective masks for everyone in the home. The best way to limit transmission within the family is to isolate the sick person quickly, so be ready if someone gets ill.

Need to pick them up? Test, crack a window, and wear a mask on the drive home.

Safety during the stay. 

Most conservatively, your collegiate should self-quarantine for 2 weeks while watching closely for symptoms. Even with a recently negative test, there are gaps in the time a test may turn positive. Self-quar in the home might look like wearing a mask at all times, keeping distance from other family members as much as able, sleeping in a room with a closed door and an open window, using a dedicated bathroom, and not participating in meal preparation. If your child is not able to self-quarantine for a full two weeks and does not have a known exposure, self-quarantine for 5-7 days and then repeat at PCR test. 

Do not allow any young adults to visit high risk people immediately on their return. If plans include time with people who are at a great risk of getting ill, they should ensure their status with a PCR test prior to visiting. 

Encourage them to have conversations with their friends before they gather. Planning to meet up? Avoid bars and indoor restaurants. Choose take out and spend time outside. Mask up. Stay safe.

Safety on the return. 

Understand the testing policies for students returning to campus after break. If there is not going to be mandatory testing on return, consider getting a test at home prior to making the trip back. Some campuses are requiring more than one negative PCR test prior to returning. This will take planning and time, so be aware of the policies. Rapid antigen testing should not be used for this purpose. 

Anticipate a self-quarantine after returning to campus. There may be quick changes to the return-to-campus plan while your student is at home, so keep in tune with announcements and updates from the school during break.

Send your student back with back up supplies in case of lock down or illness. Simple things to eat like protein bars and cans of soup, acetaminophen, Gatorade or Pedialyte, reusable ice packs, hygiene supplies, Lysol wipes and spray, and plenty of masks. 

And, maybe throw in a few rolls of quarters?

Good luck and be safe.