The Grim Reality of COVID-19 on College Campuses

As of November 5, the New York Times reported over 252,000 confirmed coronavirus cases across 1,600 colleges in the U.S. The toll has been particularly harsh for students, who find themselves dodging infections while facing pressures from institutions that seem more interested in profits than protective measures.

Arizona State University: A Case Study

With over 2,500 reported cases, Arizona State University (ASU) stands out as one of the hardest-hit institutions. Boasting an enrollment of 74,500 on-site students, ASU’s scale makes the pandemic response feel like attempting to juggle chainsaws while riding a unicycle. And yes, tuition expenses remain soaring, leaving students feeling like they’re stuck in a financial horror movie.

Blockchain to the Rescue?

To combat the virus spread, ASU has rolled out a new health app called HealthCheck, developed in collaboration with Safe Health Systems and the Mayo Clinic. Now, students and staff are required to check in daily using this blockchain-based tool. It’s a bit like being back in school, except this time the homework is to ensure that you’re not bringing home a virus along with your laundry.

The Tech Behind the App

HealthCheck leverages a digital health platform known as SAFE, created during a health tech accelerator program. This platform generates digital health IDs and maintains an auditable log of health events, all verified and stored using Hedera Consensus Service. Talk about high-tech security! If only it came with a built-in feature to remind you to wash your hands.

The Debate on Privacy

Despite the promising technology, privacy remains a concern. While HealthCheck aims to keep data safe, concerns linger regarding its partnerships with external labs. As Ken Mayer, SHS CEO, stated, we need better, smarter information-sharing on COVID-19 cases. So it seems like the path to safely navigating the pandemic at colleges is still a work in progress, filled with both hope and skepticism.

Bringing It All Together

While colleges like ASU explore tech solutions to handle the pandemic crisis, students are caught in the crossfire of innovation and anxiety. The future of education, health, and safety is hanging in the balance, all while students are just trying to make it to graduation without becoming a statistic.