While you could still be exposed to the virus before arriving home, Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, recommends getting tested before leaving campus. "Between the testing place and going home you could get infected. But if you're careful, you wear a mask and you test negative, you've diminished dramatically the likelihood there's going to be a problem," Dr. Fauci told The New York Times.
Many colleges across the country, my brother's included, are offering students free COVID-19 testing prior to heading home. Leaving with a negative test result can bring you and your family some peace of mind. Just don't rely on testing alone to protect your family.