To take in-person classes or not: Many make the decision as colleges reopen

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KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross. 

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor 
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the past several months, students heading off to college, and their parents, have been anguishing over the decision to attend class virtually or in person. 

Some colleges have taken the in-person decision away and some that have limited virtual options. 

For students, the stakes are high. There is the obvious concern that the risk of contracting COVID-19 will be much higher when living on campus or in apartments and taking classes. 

Certainly, the death rate is far lower in this age group, but COVID-19 can cause severe symptoms which can certainly impact school performance and long-term issues like myocarditis are certainly present in this age group. 

Attempts have been made to encourage mask-wearing and social distancing, but university philosophies can vary depending on the part of the country.