Due to the omicron variant, cases across the country have spiked in a short amount of time. On December 28, 2021, the District of Columbia has reported 92,045 positive cases of COVID-19 and 1,210 total lives lost. On December 29, 2021, alone the Fairfax Health District reported, 2,213 new cases of COVID-19. Based on the current data, cases throughout Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia have shown no sign of decreasing. 

Although George Mason University has vaccination requirements and mask mandates in place, it would be high risk for students, staff, and faculty alike to return to campus in the same in-person capacity as the fall semester. 

For the safety of the Mason community and beyond, we believe that the Spring 2022 semester should begin virtually until case numbers and total deaths in Fairfax County and the District of Columbia begin to decline.