The Young Adults Against COVID 19 study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, is designed to learn about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on 18 to 29 year olds. Assistant Professor Traci Hayes is with the University of Southern Mississippi. She says they’re using brief online surveys and virtual focus groups.
“We’re even finding out that fact that it’s been very stressful on them, how it’s impacted their work environment, impacting going to school, so the focus groups allow us to be very personal and get that in-depth information,” said Hayes.
Young adults are a high risk group for contracting and transmitting COVID 19. Hayes says they also want to learn about their attitudes towards following guidelines and vaccinations. Carlee McNealy, a senior at USM, took part in the study. The 22-year old Public Health major says she became scared when people began dying from the coronavirus. But she’s not ready to get vaccinated.
“I just want to see how it plays out a little bit more before I go in. And then my mom had some experiences when she got her first shot. She wasn’t feeling well, her body was sore and things like that. So I just didn’t know if I was ready to do that just yet,” said McNealy.
Twenty-five year old Brandi Gibson is a senior at Jackson State University. The biology major told researchers she follows the recommended guidelines.
“I haven’t had an opportunity to get it but I’ve been staying safe. I’m O.K. with the vaccine like I said because I trust biology. I think everyone does have different reactions to different things but I believe I’ll be safe with the vaccine,” said Gibson.
Gibson says she’ll be getting vaccinated on campus soon. Traci Hayes says the information will help them determine the best way to meet the needs of young adults during the pandemic.
Researchers are in need of volunteers for the survey. Contact Traci Hayes at the University of Southern Mississippi for more information (601) 266-5434.
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