Jacob moved into university halls last month. But while this is usually the most sociable time of year for students and Jews alike, he has instead been self-isolating after a possible Covid-19 exposure.
“It’s been quite sad because obviously it’s nice around this time of year to get together with people, to sit in the succah together and go to shul,” the first year Goldsmiths pupil told the JC.
Jacob said he had observed Shabbat by himself for the first time while in quarantine. “It’s very difficult because if there’s a religion that focuses on ritual, it’s ours,” said the 22-year-old anthropology student.
“I try to keep kosher and I rely on going to get food for Shabbat from my mother and if not from her, from someone else in Stamford Hill,” he said, adding he has had to rely on fruit, vegetables and a couple of leftover challah rolls.
Jacob, who was able to buy grocery supplies shortly before going into self-isolation, said he is due to come out of quarantine on Sunday.
Thousands of Jewish students like Jacob began the new university year as the coronavirus pandemic hit dozens of university campuses and forced pupils around the UK into quarantine.
First year student Lauren, 18, was told to self-isolate in her halls just as she entered into her second week at Leeds University, she told the JC.
The liberal arts pupil was tested for covid-19 on Wednesday shortly before entering a two-week quarantine. She said she had to fast by herself on Yom Kippur.
“I have the tiniest sliver of a window so it gets quite stuffy in here and I’m going to be watching everyone else outside and being there wanting to go out,” said the student.
While she lives with 11 other students, she said self-isolation can be a “lonely life”, particularly for those in smaller flatshares or students who don’t get on with their flatmates.
Now the fast is over Lauren, who did not stock up on supplies, will have to rely on others to bring food deliveries and shopping to the door. “No one’s done any washes so we’re all out of underwear and socks. We’re all a bit panicking,” she said, adding they may have to do their laundry in the sink,” she said.
She added: “The government can’t blame uni students for there being a big spread now because it was their decision to send us all back to university, whereas we could have 100 percent done this from home.”
In Manchester, Guy, 21, recently tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating in rented private accommodation.
The postgraduate pupil, who is otherwise healthy and was well enough to fast on Yom Kippur, moved into his accommodation last month with five others.
Guy, who suggested he was in a better situation than those who are self-isolating in halls, said he opted to move in with his friends. “I made the choice to be here because I wanted to be with my friends in the event of another lockdown.”
But with classes due to begin online later this month, he said universities should be “more realistic about the chances of people actually going into university and the need for it”.
“It’s not fair to blame students. For the most part, they seem to be thrown into the situation and not be given much information,” he added.
