Not letting their guard down

Students share their plans for Spring Break

Jamejdra Holverstott | THE RIDER

With Spring Break starting March 15, two students plan to follow safety protocols during their week of rest.

Dance sophomore Analia Martinez said she plans to take classes at a dance studio.

“I’ll probably try to find a studio I can visit; I’ll probably take dance classes if they’re offering any, and work,” Martinez said.

 She said that COVID has altered activities for dancers.

“Normally, during Spring Break, I’d probably be going on a trip somewhere, taking dance classes upstate in Houston, probably going to workshops,” Martinez said. “But because of COVID, a lot of the stuff that dancers do has just been put on pause.” 

She said dance classes are now usually virtual or limited to 10 to 15 people to fit social-distance guidelines

“It’s still not the same,” Martinez said. “It’s quite difficult. It’s been a really big change.”

As she intends to continue working throughout Spring Break, she expressed concern for her safety at the restaurant where she works. 

“There’s a lot of people who show up to my job, and you can tell they just don’t care,” Martinez said. “They’ll walk in without a mask, walk out without a mask, walk around the restaurant without a mask and we’ll tell them, ‘Hey, you need to be wearing a mask,’ [and] they obviously don’t care.”

Martinez suggests that students who plan to work or travel over the break use as many precautions as possible to ensure their own safety, as well the safety of others. 

Mass communication senior Claudia Lamas plans to create content over Spring Break.

“I’m a micro influencer, so I’m gonna try and create a lot of content throughout Spring Break when I am off of school,” Lamas said. “So, I can try and focus on that while I know I don’t have as much schoolwork at that time.”

She will film videos on how to style clothes and give advice on how to grow engagement.

“I plan on making videos on tips on how to style different clothing items, or on doing different tips and advice on how to grow your account and engagement tips as well,” Lamas said. “And also, I’m planning on shooting a couple of photos in different clothing items that I’ve been sent to promote on my Instagram.”

Lamas, who does not plan on traveling to the beach or elsewhere during the break, also voiced her concerns for her community with the recent lifting of the mask mandate in Texas. 

“I believe that lifting the mask mandate was not a conscious decision for others that actually have family members in danger of [contracting] the virus,” Lamas said. “Since they placed those mask mandates at the beginning, when this pandemic had started, it was to protect the people of … Texas.” 

Lamas said she fears this break could mirror last year and possibly result in the implementation of stricter guidelines, such as lockdowns. 

With concern on the rise from students, Hugo Rodriguez, a professor of biomedical sciences, said students should continue following guidelines. 

“We were talking this month, this week, about all the dangers that we have, especially our students,” Rodriguez said. “I expect [students] to continue doing what they’re expected [to be] doing. So, social distancing, wearing a mask, and following all the hygiene measurements, and all the indications provided by the government.” 

He said students who plan to go to the beach during Spring Break should limit their interactions with others.

“With the vaccine, you know, people may think, ‘Oh, I’m vaccinated. Let’s go back to normal,’ Rodriguez said. “And no, the new normal, even after vaccination, is we need to maintain the protocols. We need to continue with social distancing, hygiene and wearing masks.”

Rodriguez said students should relax during Spring Break and come back with new energy to finish the semester.