how to deal with covid denial remarks in assignment?

[rabbitandfox23]

I think an emphasis on reliable supporting evidence is important. So I don't advocate just saying, "No, COVID is more serious than the flu," but providing actual evidence in a way that models the kind of decision process the student should be making. If kids aren't going to learn about weighing and providing evidence for claims in college, when in their future life are they going to learn it? That's a big part of what college is for.

If this kind of thing is not in the assignment instructions, those should be revised for next time around. "Respond to" may be too loosey-goosey if any kind of response at all gets them a good grade. Obviously you want authentic responses, but also you don't want them to think they can just free-associate randomly and have that count as a thoughtful response.

If this was an essay, I'd obviously agree with you. However, often all you're trying to do with a response paper is get students to read the assignment and have some sort of thought about it, presumably as a way to improve class discussion. I sometimes have response papers where it is clear the student has completely misunderstood the reading. I don't dock points for that as long as it seems like they did read it. I don't want to penalize students because they misunderstood something before we discussed it in class. That's what class is for, after all.

There are also issues with grading and workload for both the students and the instructor to consider. Things like response papers add up if you have a bunch of students. You can move through them a lot more quickly if you're just giving students full credit for anything that is basically a good faith effort. If you start complicating things, it will really slow you down.

Now, if the student didn't even really address the reading and just went into a covid rant, that's different. However, it sounds like they had done the reading and had thoughts on it. Perhaps just put a note saying that while its fine to sometimes draw parallels, you don't want to veer way off topic in the future.

yes, that's right -- I award full credit if the reflection is thoughtful (broadly speaking), and the assignment is only intended to encourage them to begin synthesizing the readings.  I'll probably do as you recommend - just get on with it by awarding the credit but attaching a clear note that future reflections stay more on topic.