My son has accepted his appointment to USMA. He is beyond thrilled. I know I am an overthinker/worrier but what happens if he gets covid between now and R Day? His school is returning to in person school post spring break and covid is always a strong possibility. Or what happens if he already had it and we never knew, but his covid test at R day (I assume he gets one) will show past covid? I read the DODMERB guidance online and came to the conclusion that a positive test 38 days before arriving should be fine - given he is cleared of complications - but what if never had a positive test to get that clock started? I don’t want to invite trouble but he wants to avoid any potential hiccups on R day...
Overthinking things
- Thread starter KKAK907
- Start date
Everything COVID-related is in flux, but perhaps experience from last year will ease your worries. No guarantee this year will be the same.
For the class of 2024, we were told that a prior, recovered COVID case was not going to be a problem. If he's already had it, no worries so long as he's recovered. Whatever this year's guidance is, USMA will share it with you.
The tests that they gave were nasal swabs for current infection. They did not perform antibody testing (for prior infection).
As I recall, if a cadet candidate was ill when they were supposed to travel, they should not travel and should contact their RD. I do not know about any such cases, although they may have happened. Anybody else?
On R-Day (there were three of them), some candidates had positive COVID tests. Those candidates were segregated from the rest of the class and could rejoin the class later. I do not recall more details.
In short, I wouldn't worry much about this. I wouldn't let it get in the way of DS's finishing high school in-person with friends, going to graduation, or doing whatever other in-person activities are allowed. You may wish to keep DS in your personal anti-COVID bubble for 14 days prior to R-day to limit the chances of being sick when he's supposed to travel, but that is up to you. He'll be quarantined enough once he arrives at USMA.
For the class of 2024, we were told that a prior, recovered COVID case was not going to be a problem. If he's already had it, no worries so long as he's recovered. Whatever this year's guidance is, USMA will share it with you.
The tests that they gave were nasal swabs for current infection. They did not perform antibody testing (for prior infection).
As I recall, if a cadet candidate was ill when they were supposed to travel, they should not travel and should contact their RD. I do not know about any such cases, although they may have happened. Anybody else?
On R-Day (there were three of them), some candidates had positive COVID tests. Those candidates were segregated from the rest of the class and could rejoin the class later. I do not recall more details.
In short, I wouldn't worry much about this. I wouldn't let it get in the way of DS's finishing high school in-person with friends, going to graduation, or doing whatever other in-person activities are allowed. You may wish to keep DS in your personal anti-COVID bubble for 14 days prior to R-day to limit the chances of being sick when he's supposed to travel, but that is up to you. He'll be quarantined enough once he arrives at USMA.
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- Apr 9, 2017
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Don’t worry. They have a year under their belt for managing COVID. There will be scenarios for everything. And none of them are designed to keep ‘25 out. Rather the opposite. Don’t worry. Be responsible, but enjoy your last months together. You cant get them back, and soon life will be a whole lot different. Congrats on the appointment!!
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- Aug 25, 2011
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Sweet Mama, there are things you cannot control about this. Have your kid keep doing his due diligence to stay safe (face mask, social distancing, hand washing) from COVDI19 and broken bones and concussions between now and R-Day; and you have to turn the rest over to God or whatever higher power you believe in because there is nothing you can do about it otherwise. Enjoy these next 3 1/2 months. They will fly by...Good luck & keep faith. Get ready for the Boot Memo and the School Supply List that includes duct tape, a lighter, a 550 cord...and socks and compression underwear...so much to do, so little time.
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- Feb 14, 2018
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Keep in shape, break in footwear, run lots, try to work up to 5-8 mile rucks with 30-40 lbs, keep doing push ups and pull ups to your CFA scores or better, don't get hurt, and stay out of trouble.