Due to COVID-19 cases still rising in more than half of the states, students are adapting to another refashioned Easter.
“This year, my immediate family and I will be having a normal Easter day together,” said freshman Chloe Rozenveld. “Or at least the new normal. Usually, I am with my whole family and family friends, and we have a big family lunch with egg hunts.”
According to cdc.gov, “The safest way to observe religious and spiritual holidays this year is to gather virtually, with people who live with you, or outside and at least six feet apart from others.”
Many students will keep their Easter festivities with family minimal this year.
“I’m planning on visiting my mom and sisters for Easter this year,” said sophomore Kate Iannazi. “We’re staying home and having a small gathering together.”
Some students have found that this switch from being with many loved ones to just their immediate family has changed their traditional practices.
“COVID-19 is definitely affecting my normal Easter traditions,” said Iannazi. “Normally we would go and visit my grandma, aunts and uncles, but this year we can’t go because we don’t want to risk anything.”
Other students see no alterations in their traditions or how their Easter will be celebrated this year.
“COVID-19 is not affecting my Easter traditions,” said sophomore Sofia Brotto. “I am still going to Palm Sunday mass. I am also going to mass on Easter Sunday. Then, I will be going out to dinner with my family.”
Additionally, with fewer restrictions on restaurant capacity, some students are looking forward to a night out with their family.
“My parents just recently received the second dose of the vaccine, so they are more comfortable about going out to eat,” said sophomore Kristen Cuff. “I do believe my immediate family will be making a reservation at a local restaurant.”
According to nytimes.com, “A new tricky aspect is that some people are vaccinated, and others aren’t.”
With many people being eligible to have received the vaccine, some see a bit more normalcy in the way their Easter Sunday will be spent this year.
“The past couple holidays we really haven’t been able to do anything as a family,” said sophomore Alyson Garofalo. “But this year, the majority of my family is vaccinated, so this will be the first real holiday since COVID-19 that we can do a normal holiday celebration.”
Additionally, some students are fearful of the repercussions to come from the traditional Easter gatherings.
“I am worried that the number of cases will spike after Easter,” said Cuff. “But we can only hope for the best and that people will try to be safe during this upcoming holiday.”
Despite the dynamic of some Easter celebrations being changed this year, students are hopeful that this alteration will bring the virus to an end.
“I still hope people will stay within small gatherings,” said Iannazi. “That way we can end this pandemic quickly.”
