On Monday April 25th I tested positive for COVID-19. My whole body ached and my fever peaked at 102.5°. I was confined to my bed for over a week, unable to walk around, do schoolwork, or make music. One week later, I am still experiencing symptoms. I still do not feel well enough to attend classes. I was expected to graduate at the commencement on May 7, but I could not attend that either. This virus has taken a huge toll on my last few weeks of this semester.

I am not the only student who this has happened to. Many students, including some of my own friends, have tested positive the past few weeks. Many of them have expressed their concerns on social media and even reached out to President Muhl herself without any reply.

This is a direct result of the school's decision to discontinue mask mandates and weekly testing back in March. Before this decision, everything was operating as it should: positive test rates were low. Things will only get worse with the new protocols instated on May 9: discontinuation of testing for asymptomatic students and "Isolation-in-Place" for residential students. The new Isolation-in-Place protocol will put the roommates of COVID-positive students at a high risk, increasing the spread of the virus. They have the option of seeking alternate housing, but that may not be possible for those with disabilities or financial problems.

As students, we would like Berklee to reinstate mask mandates and weekly testing. We are tired of getting sick. We are dedicated students and musicians who need energy to focus on our education. It is supposed to be your job to help us emerging musicians grow and thrive. How are we going to thrive if we are not even safe from illness?

In conclusion, we demand that Berklee takes action to keep us students safe. We demand the continuation of mask mandates and weekly testing. As people who have suffered and witnessed their colleagues suffer from COVID-19, we know this pandemic is far from over and it is not the time to pretend that it is. Berklee, we ask you to continue to take COVID-19 protocol seriously and do your part to ensure the safety of all your students.