It’s no secret that the COVID-19 vaccine has caused a lot of controversy in the community and in the country, especially for students. The pressure's on, because according to Masslive, earlier this month, Governor Charlie Baker has required schools to show an 80% or more vaccination rate to remove the masks for the vaccinated students and staff. Two MA districts have reached this requirement, Ashland and Hopkinton. What does this mean for Norwood High? 

According to NHS school nurse, Kathleen Crowley, the greatest success of last year's strict and intense COVID-19 protocols was that with all of their hard work, they were able to keep the number of positive cases in the building to a minimum. 

"I think it was more of the concern of keeping everybody safe and well during the school year. Making sure that people who were potentially positive were seen and gotten treated, and were seen by their physicians whether it be staff or students. Because again, we’re here for the safety and well-being of everybody in the building” she said.

The possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine mandate is unknown at this time, but vaccine mandates in schools are not a new concept. There are currently five different vaccines required to attend Norwood Public Schools, the Tdap, Polio, Hepatitis B, MMR, and the Varicella vaccines. According to Reuters, vaccine mandates in a school setting have existed for over a century. Massachusetts became the first state to require smallpox vaccines in schools in the 1850's. 

Students have certain thoughts and ideas on a possible COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Junior Immanuella Ilango says, "I feel like it shouldn't be mandated, people have a choice of what they put in their body." 

Senior Rakesh Ghimire's opinion differs. "I don't care, I think everyone should be vaccinated." 

No matter what side you're on, certain guidelines have to be followed for everyone's benefit. 

 “We have to follow the CDC guidelines, and then it goes to the Department of Public Health, the Norwood DPH, and then we work very closely with both of them. The Norwood Public Schools also has guidelines, so between the three, we have to follow the guidelines of all for the safety of everyone in the building, including staff and students.” Nurse Crowley said. 

According to NBC10 Boston, Massachusetts Education Secretary James Peyser says "For now, the safest and simplest path forward is to mask up in schools," 

As of now, masks are here to stay. Getting a vaccine is a decision you make. 

Nurse Crowley noted, “Everybody’s opinion is different. You would have to kind of think about what you thought, and what was going on in your life, and your life choices so everybody can have their own opinion on it.”