2020 Coronavirus Outbreak

Plan A, Plan B: CHCCS parents and teachers clash over flex Wednesdays and hybrid learning

After listening to public comments and considering recent state legislation mandating in-person instruction, the CHCCS Board of Education passed a motion on March 18 to continue Hybrid Plan B for middle and high schoolers and move elementary schoolers to four days of instruction with Flex Wednesdays. 

We talked with an epidemiologist about vaccine ethics, new CDC guidance and more

The Daily Tar Heel sat down with UNC epidemiology professor Jim Thomas to reflect on the past year of ethical dilemmas under COVID-19 and how institutions and individuals can make better decisions as vaccines become more widely available. 

UNC community reacts to new CDC guidelines for vaccinated individuals

As of March 9, the CDC allows fully vaccinated individuals to meet indoors without masks or physical-distancing. Because of these new guidelines, the University is reexamining its COVID-19 Community Standards. 

Students reflect on the anniversary of the pandemic

“The hardest part was not getting to hug your friends goodbye one last time, because the next time you saw them, it was wearing a mask in a grocery store,” Goddard said. “It shows us how we need to do our best and do our part.”

Looking back at the DTH's coverage of this historic year, over 2,700 stories later

Student reporters have watched, investigated and preserved this history-making year in the pages of the DTH —from the cancellation of study abroad programs in Italy to quarantine memes to the summer’s protests for racial justice and the University’s fall reopening. 

UNC answers COVID-19 vaccine questions at first town hall

Hidden gems in Chapel Hill, Carrboro persevere through a year of slow business

“I don't know what I’d do with myself if I couldn't come over here and unlock the door in the morning,” said Barry Keith, owner of Surplus Sids. These local business owners reflect on the year of coronavirus, how they survived and why they’re still holding on.

CHCCS community reflects on challenges, impacts of one year of remote learning

Nearly one year has passed since the System's first day of remote learning, and the CHCCS community is reflecting on the challenges the year has brought while preparing to return to the classroom.  

Column: Let's celebrate sports during COVID-19

Any sports fan will understand the rush of euphoria that comes with a mid-March notification. But on March 12, 2020, a different kind of alert slid across my phone – one that I’ll never forget. 

Advocates respond to recent rise in violence against Asian American community

Though violence against Asian Americans has risen particularly in major U.S. cities, community members say anti-Asian racism is not new — and that there is much work that needs to be done to address it.

A look back at North Carolina's COVID-19 response over the past year

Since last March, the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has come through a mixture of executive orders and comprehensive relief legislation. Here’s a look back at how it all happened. 

Town and University look to avoid Franklin Street rush after Saturday's UNC-Duke game

In an email, Victoria Hudson, the Orange County Director of Environmental Health, said she was unaware of any community spread impacts from the February rush — however, she wrote, this is not an excuse to lose vigilance. “Community transmission and vaccination trends are moving in the right direction,” Hudson wrote. “The recent Executive Order eased some restrictions on businesses. We have to stay vigilant to eliminate any actions that could lead to negative impacts at this time.”

Settlement secures release of 3,500 incarcerated people from state prisons

The legal settlement ensures the early release of 3,500 people over the next six months, 1,500 of whom will be released over the next three months. The agreement also maintains many existing COVID mitigation efforts and calls for an anonymous complaint system. 

Following sudden move last fall, students share why they moved back for the spring

This semester, the number of undergraduate students living on campus increased from 1,096 students in late August to 2,410 as of Feb. 23, according to UNC Media Relations Manager Jeni Cook. 

Orally-administered antiviral drug tested at UNC shows promise in treating COVID-19

A new antiviral drug for COVID-19 is being tested with collaboration from the Gillings School of Global Public Health and UNC School of Medicine.

‘I’ve been waiting for an opportunity’: Triangle Immigrants feel left out of vaccine process

Research from the Center for American Progress shows undocumented immigrants are more likely to work essential jobs in the United States, with an estimated 5 million of them in the workforce.  Katherine Ward, a community organizer for Refugee Community Partnership, said vaccinating immigrants is especially important because they have fewer opportunities to receive federal or state aid if they were to lose their jobs or stop working due to the virus.  “It is my hope and my prayer that (the vaccine) will make a difference in the lives and homes and the neighborhoods where immigrants and refugees live,”  Edgar Vergara, a pastor in Durham who oversees La Semilla, said.  

UNC to allow limited fans at home sports following Cooper's latest executive order

Following an easing of COVID-19 restrictions by Gov. Roy Cooper, a limited number of fans will be allowed at most UNC home athletic competitions starting on Feb. 26. 

State legislature passes bill to send students back to school, awaits governor approval

It doesn’t appear to have Gov. Cooper’s support, despite him calling on K-12 school districts across the state to allow in-person instruction earlier in the month. 

School district program aims to combat food insecurity during pandemic

Food for Students has made an effort to not only provide food, but also connect with students: dropping off ingredients for recipes like blueberry muffins, posting videos for students and supplying them with activities like gardening kits. 

Cooper says N.C. bars can open indoors, other COVID-19 restrictions eased

For the first time since March, bars in North Carolina will be able to open indoors. Cooper announced this and an ease in many other COVID-19 restrictions at a Wednesday news briefing.