About two weeks have passed since the mask obligations for indoors were lifted - and the members of KISJ are showing different reactions on the return to the “normal.” Some are openly welcoming the policy, while some are ambivalent about the transition. 

On January 30, 2023, the South Korean government lifted the mask obligations for indoors, except for public transportation and high-risk zones such as hospitals. Members of KISJ were allowed to attend school fully without a mask - for the first time in 3 years. During the 3 years, the “abnormal” has become the “normal” - and the transition back to this “new” normal seems to be affecting people in different ways. 

“It is so comfortable, that I feel like I am born again.” Says Sewon Kim, a junior. He is very enthusiastic about workouts, and welcomes the new mask policy, as he no longer needs to wear a mask in the gym. Regarding health concerns regarding removing the mask, he replies that he is “not worried,” as he is “healthy and strong.” 

“The best part of the new policy is,” he says, “the fact that I no longer need to see people pretending with ⅔ of their face covered.” He recognizes that he did feel mildly “threatened” when people cough around him - but overall, he is very welcoming of the policy.  

Many members of the KISJ community share Sewon’s reaction. Many people welcome that they are comfortable breathing again, without the need to see everyone’s faces covered. Still, there are some members of the KISJ community showing more ambivalent reactions. 

“I feel a bit uncomfortable even though I took my mask off. This is because of the spread of cold among Juniors. Currently, the number of sick Juniors has risen suddenly right after the new mask policy. There are people who do not use their masks even though they got the cold, infecting several people,” says Eric Hwang, a junior. 

Eric’s concerns are not invalid - there recently was a widespread cold breakout among KISJ students, as the mask obligation was lifted. Several students chose to wear a mask because they either got cold or their peers got cold. 

“It is sure comfortable without masks, but this overall made me a bit uncomfortable, so I chose to wear a mask for now. I don’t want to get sick,” added Eric. 

“My initial reaction to the new mask policy also aligned with the general opinion; I was delighted to take off masks in the classroom, gym, et cetera,” says Roy Lee, a junior. “But,” he added, “I do think people would have a much higher chance to get COVID since there are no masks and people's focus on preventing COVID has lowered due to the policy change.” 

His reaction is representative of many students’ opinions. Although they are absolutely welcoming of the policy, they at the same time recognize the health concerns resulting from the new convenience. 

Overall, many students share the sense that having their masks off is so much more comfortable compared to having masks. Many students welcomed the new policy mainly due to this. Still, there were some health concerns shown by students, regarding the spread of the cold. 

The transition was something that was going to happen, sooner or later, at some point. The mixed reactions are very natural here, as life with masks had become “normal” over the past few years. 

The students still have their choices to wear the masks or not. After all, the new “normal” is not a life without any masks - but a life with the choice and the freedom to wear the mask, or not.