For college students in California, the only common ground is uncertainty

For college students in California, the only common ground is uncertainty

Steven Gong is a rising junior at the University of California, Irvine. He said in a phone interview that he has preparedness concerns, especially if some new strain reaches campus this fall. Still, on the whole, Gong said he feels good about going back. All UC students and staff, with limited exemptions, must be vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning to campus. A mask mandate is also in place. “Vaccines plus masks, that makes me feel pretty safe already,” he said. … “My school is requiring the vaccine, and I agree with this decision,” wrote Jasmine Mendoza of UC Irvine.