This petition is to allow the choice for Students at Michigan State University to continue with in-person learning on Jan 8 of the new year and not shut down to all virtual learning.

Michigan State University “feels” that due to the surge in cases from the Omicron Variant they should go remote for the first three weeks.  This policy is detrimental to student learning and has absolutely no effect on virus transmission, as has been shown in verifiable data.

In addition, they have determined that students who were planning to move back to residence halls next week, will be allowed to do so. Food and dining options will be available in our dining halls, and the library and IM facilities will remain open.  So, are we to believe that the virus must only spread in the classrooms and not the residence halls, or dining rooms or libraries?  The utter and complete disregard of science makes me question sending my child to this school.

MSU then goes on to say that they realize their students prefer to learn in person, and so does the administration but it is important that learning take place in a safe manner. MSU had already shown that it is safe to go back to full in-person learning and that it is the best solution for students overall well-being.

Science has proven that changing to virtual learning doesn’t stop the transmission or spread of COVID-19, or it's variants. It is endemic. Further, the survival rate has been reported at well over 99%, with the newest variant having an even lower mortality rate especially in the student aged population.

What virtual learning does accomplish is diminishing the educational value the school provides.  It increases depression, loneliness, drug and alcohol abuse, and cheapens the overall value of the college experience.

Last year, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services there were 48 deaths from Covid 19 among all school age children (0-24 years old).  48.  Yes we are shutting down the entire universe for 48 deaths, not at MSU but every child 0-24 years old in the entire state of Michigan.

Every life is precious, but the decision for MSU to go to all virtual learning will do more harm then good.  It will not stop the virus.  Zero cases is impossible.

Overall, the decision to go to 'virtual learning' is anti-scientific, ineffective, and problematic for our children.