IN THE NEWS: VSU Professor Discusses COVID-19, Migrant Farmworkers with The Valdosta Daily Times

Dr. Susan Wehling, a professor in Valdosta State University's Department of Modern and Classical Languages, recently talked to Chris Herbert of The Valdosta Daily Times about what might be causing increased COVID-19 infection rates in the migrant farmworker communities and what can be done to prevent this from continuing. That story, "Echols Adds 81 Cases in 10 Days," published on May 27.

Wehling said that living in close quarters is contributing to the rise in infection rates. 

“H-2A workers live in a bunk house and bunks are close to each other," she said. "They share one kitchen. They live in very close quarters and that makes it really difficult."

Wehling typically takes students from her Spainsh language and culture, Latin American history, and immigration classes to the migrant farmworker communities as an experiential learning opportunity. She said that seeing bunkhouses and migrant camps has been eye-opening for her students.

"We as Americans have so much space and privilege," she said.

Read the full story at https://www.valdostadailytimes.com/news/echols-adds-81-cases-in-10-days/article_401df1be-a01f-11ea-b340-b3c9f358f3e1.html. 

VSU is committed to creating a campus culture focused on individual student success, providing students with expanded transformational and experiential learning opportunities, and increasing regional impact by serving as a resource and innovative leader for South Georgia.
 
The health of our students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority, and VSU continues to monitor this global situation. Updates are posted at https://www.valdosta.edu/health-advisory/.