On the Ridgeland campus of Holmes Community College staff and students are required to wear masks inside the buildings. Don Burnham is Vice President of the campus. He says masks aren’t required outside but that presents a different challenge.
“The biggest thing is don’t let them congregate in big groups, tight groups particularly with their mask off and be in each other’s faces talking. They need to keep spacing and keep those masks on,” said Burnham.
Burnham says all entrances have hand sanitizing stations, ionizers have been installed in air conditioning units, and an outside contractor disinfects classrooms rooms twice a week. He says they also provide COVID-19 vaccinations for students, employees and their families. At East Mississippi Community College in Scooba a COVID nurse just joined the staff and can administer shots. Tony Montgomery is Dean of Students.
“Which is wonderful because with all the hospitals and everything, trying to get people to come and give the vaccinations has become kinda tough,” said Montgomery.
Montgomery says they too require masks be worn inside buildings, which he says are readily available around campus. He adds all student activities must be done outside, and there are no visitors allowed in their residential halls.