The Mask Mandate is Lifted, But How Do Students Feel?

On February 25, 2022, it was announced that masks would now be optional in Central High School starting that Monday, the 28th. It was a conversation starter throughout the day, with some students and teachers deciding to go maskless while others have decided to remain masked. While the conversation has died down a bit, students differing opinions haven’t. Not only do students have contrasting views, but the teachers of Central do as well.

The general consensus of an anonymous form was that the mandate shouldn’t have been lifted yet, with the majority of students saying that they felt it was too early for the change. Many students expressed concerns with the cases potentially rising since some people inside the school will now not be wearing masks. One student explained their worries with maskless individuals, “I don’t think students who aren’t wearing masks fully understand the risks of unmasking. You are not only placing students and staff at risk of Covid, you are additionally endangering relatives that may have health complications that could lead to hospitalization, even with vaccination.” This student explains the broader affects unmasking may have. Another provided their concerns that this could restart the pandemic altogether, saying, “ I just don’t want this to be a repeat of 2020, where we got impatient and just decided to re-open at the worst possible time. 6 million lives worldwide have been claimed by this disease, and I don’t want any more lives to be needlessly taken.”

Still, many students, even those who were mostly against the mandate being lifted, sympathized with the desire to not wear masks anymore. One student commented on this, “we've had on masks for so long that I know how it feels to just want to take it off and be able to breathe.” Another student described how with the mask mandate being lifted outside of school, many students within the school “would still not wear their masks, creating another reason for teachers and staff to discipline students.” These students bring up an interesting counterpoint; although the mask mandate being lifted feels uncomfortable and early to some, many other students might’ve ignored the mandate if it had remained, since the majority of people are feeling fed up with the Covid and masking rules that have been present for around two years now.

As for whether students feel safe at Central with the new lack of regulations, answers vary. Some said that they still felt safe, so long as they themselves continued wearing a mask. Meanwhile, others explained how being around their peers without masks can make them uncomfortable. Some stated that they believe the whole situation won’t end well, suggesting again that the lack of masks could cause cases to rise. Another mentioned how they especially feel unsafe when in situations where people are unmasked and can not social distance. They pointed out the example of the stairway in Seely, where concerns of blocked traffic flow and close contact with others have been an issue since the start of the school year, last fall. The student expressed their worries, explaining that, “in that tiny stairwell at Seely hall we have ZERO social distancing in passing periods, with hundreds of students going in and out.” The fears around lack of social distancing appear to only have been heightened for some by the lifting of the mandate.

Despite many wishing the mask mandate had not been lifted, this hasn’t really affected many students' opinions of each other. The majority of students agreed that they weren’t judgeful of, or judged by others for their choice regarding masking. Many seem to be of the mindset that masking is a personal decision, and whatever they’re more comfortable with is okay. However, some did say that they felt some students were judging non-maskers, while some pointed out that they had been asked why they were wearing a mask when the mandate was lifted.

Regarding how the school is handing the mandate, the majority of students said they thought Central was dealing with the situation well. Many pointed out how there’s not much the school can do with the mandate being lifted in schools being a state decision. However, a few made suggestions on ways the school could be improving. For example, one mentioned that the school should be, and should’ve been since the beginning, sanitizing tables and desks between classes. Another suggested that teachers should still be required to wear masks, due to them interacting with students daily who could have complications or have a family member with complications, which would make them potentially catching coronavirus from a teacher a serious threat. “They can be seen as role models,” the student explained, “and I see way too many adults without masks.” Still, with the state lifting the mandate, it truly is up to teachers as individuals to determine whether or not they want to wear a mask.

As educators, the majority of teachers have kept their comments to a minimum as a way to respect their students' choices. However, these new regulations have impacted teachers as much, if not more, than students. A teacher choosing to remain anonymous shared their thoughts about the mandate being lifted. They expressed how they really felt indifferent about the mandate being lifted, but commented on how quickly the announcement came, “At first, I was upset at how abruptly it was sprung upon us as a staff and community,” and “I just wish the leaders of the district would have given us more warning that it was going to happen.” It appears that the announcement was sudden for students and staff alike. This teacher also explained how despite the mandate being lifted, they still feel comfortable and safe in school and around students due to how long they’ve been working at Central, and their choice to continue masking.

Nonetheless, the teacher expressed some concern for their students and the feedback they receive for their choices. They explained that they “feel that some may feel judged for not wearing a mask, and [they] do not want people to think that since [they are] wearing a mask and [some students] are not that [they are] judging them.” This teacher also explained how weird and quick the shift was, as they had to remind themselves that they no longer could ask students to lift their masks over their noses. It appears that much like students, teachers are getting used to the mandate being lifted, though they’re working to adjust and make all of their students feel comfortable.

As of now, it seems that the majority of students feel that it is too early to lift the mandate, and worry that this could cause another surge in Covid cases. Still, students' worries don’t seem to fall on their peers who are masked or maskless. Many shared their beliefs that students should be allowed to make their own choices without judgment. Those choosing to continue masking pointed out that they themselves will continue feeling safe so long as they continue masking. Educators seem to have similar beliefs, discontent with the unanticipated lifting of the mandate, but trying to respect others beliefs and keep themselves and their students safe and comfortable. Overall, getting used to the new regulations, or lack thereof, is something that will come with time. While many students agree that the mandate is being lifted too early, they’re starting to accept the rules and are open to others' positions on the topic. As time continues, this, and students' and staff’s comfortability, is only expected to grow as they adjust to the new rules within Central.