Hi fellow students,

As we all know, there is growing concern that the overall Omicron surge has peaked in California, reaching over to a staggering count of 2.5 million coronavirus cases a day - which is fast approaching the entire sum of coronavirus cases reported statewide all of last year: 3.1 million.

This sudden peak makes us feel extremely unsafe at high risk to return to campus on Feb 14, 2022, for in-person attendance. The online class transition is effective and safer in the current circumstances because it is how we can avoid being contracted to the Omicron virus that can immediately affect its recipient at a small social distance.

We have been living harshly during the pandemic for over 2 years, which means our families could be affected by the virus easily when we return back home from university. And, it is important to understand that the Omicron virus can even affect the boosted individuals, which can be prevented by following the online attendance policy because prevention is the best cure under such circumstances.

So, the safety measures at university are not sufficient because the large classrooms especially can affect the campus highly due to a lack of social distancing protocols for a high strength attendance.

Honestly, the university needs to understand that it cannot compromise our health and safety nor can it continue to force students to return to campus in a pandemic event.

Therefore, I urge you to sign over this petition that requests the university to reconsider and elect online as an option for those who feel it is risky to attend in person.