Every college packing list includes essential items like bedding and laundry detergent, but this year the list should include extra items that will be essential to fighting the spread of COVID-19 on campus.
Masks, disposable or reusable
Masks are the most important packing item this semester. Everyone is required to wear a mask inside every building on campus, with the exception of one’s personal dorm room and outside when social distancing is possible. If you plan on wearing disposable masks, make sure to pack enough for the semester. Or, pack a week’s worth of reusable masks that can be washed regularly.
Hand sanitizer
When soap and water aren’t available, hand sanitizer is the next best option. While there will be hand sanitizer stations on campus, make sure to pack some in your backpack to ensure you’re covered while navigating to and from classes.
Cleaning and disinfecting supplies
High-touch surfaces like doorknobs, lightswitches and mini-fridges should be disinfected as often as possible, so make sure to bring an ample supply of disinfectant wipes or spray with you. Other cleaning supplies to pack include gloves, paper towels, dusting cloths, antibacterial fabric spray for bedding, laundry, pillows or carpets and dish soap for to-go containers and dinnerware.
Thermometer, fever-reducer medication and vitamins
It’s important that students monitor and track their temperature daily as having a fever is a common symptom of COVID-19. Make sure to pack fever-reducers, like Tylenol, in case you develop symptoms or become sick. Pack supplements like vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc to help strengthen your immune system throughout the semester.
Portable air purifier
It’s important to circulate the air in your dorm room, as COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets from an infected person talking, singing, coughing or sneezing. Air purifiers can help clean the air and prevent the spread of COVID-19. If an air purifier isn’t available, make sure to open a window to circulate the air in your room.
Lunch box, to-go food containers and utensils
If you wish to take your meals to-go from Campion Dining Hall, make sure to pack to-go containers, reusable dinnerware, a reusable lunch bag, ice packs and disposable or reusable utensils. You can also pack more snacks or microwaveable meals, like oatmeal or mac-and-cheese cups, to cut back on frequent or unnecessary trips to the dining hall. Dining hours have also been adjusted, so late night snacks may be easy meals in your dorm room rather than a Hawk Wrap at Campion Food Court.
Dorm-friendly activities and study essentials
This semester, you may be spending more time in your dorm room than usual, so make sure to bring plenty of activities that can keep you occupied. This can include coloring books, puzzles, video game consoles or a TV with streaming devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or the Roku.
And, if you’re not comfortable studying in common spaces in the residence hall or the library, pack things that make it comfortable enough to study in your room. Bring a laptop table or backrest pillow so you can study from your bed and an extra lamp for late-night studying at your desk.
“COVID-19 isolation” emergency bag
It could be helpful to pack a small bag in case you have to quickly isolate/quarantine. Pack clothes, snacks, drinks for dehydration, like Pedialyte or Gatorade, and medicine in the bag to have with you during isolation. Packing this bag beforehand can prevent an infected person from touching more surfaces in their room, further spreading the virus.
Having these essential items on campus will enable you to keep yourself and others safe and healthy this semester. It’s important that each member of the St. Joe’s community does their part in preventing the spread of the virus on campus.
