New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced in February that the statewide in-school mask mandate would be lifted on March 7. In accordance with this update, President Leahy issued a statement to the Monmouth University community on March 3 announcing that the University’s indoor mask requirement would be lifted throughout all areas of campus, except in classrooms.
Leahy cited the close proximity of students and faculty in classrooms for prolonged periods of time as rationale for maintaining the mask requirement in classrooms. Similarly, he noted that masking in classrooms was a key component of the University’s spring COVID protocols and explained that it would be unfair to students to change this requirement at this point in the semester.
The editors support the University’s decision to relax the indoor mask mandate. Although some editors are hesitant to see the masking requirement go, they agree that it is a step in the right direction toward normalcy after months upon months of COVID restrictions.
“I believe that this change was made with good insight and data to back it up,” said one editor. “While it would be great to not have to wear masks in classrooms, that is where students are closely condensed so I understand why it is still in effect.”
“I think it’s about time we take the masks off. School is the only place I wear a mask. We don’t have to wear it anywhere else, with some select exceptions like doctor’s offices. If it’s optional everywhere else, I think that should be the case here at Monmouth,” added another editor, who questioned the need to maintain the mandate in a classroom setting.
“I feel it’s time to start transitioning back to normal life,” agreed another editor. “I think this is especially important in a school setting where communication is normally fostered on a face-to-face basis. Even as a third-year, I feel like I am re-learning what people’s faces looked like before masks. I am refreshed.”
“I have mixed feelings about this decision,” commented a third editor, who wasn’t sure how to feel about the change to the indoor mask mandate. “On one hand, I feel like it’s a sign of progress and is almost like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of this horrible pandemic. However, I feel like it might be too soon to be lifting these mandates after we just started to see a decline in cases. All it takes is some irresponsible people to start a new surge, which we saw happen countless times during that last three years. I want to move on, but it’s scary.”
The editors are hopeful that the update to the University’s indoor masking policy will not cause a spike in positive cases. They agree that the requirement of the vaccine and the appropriate booster dose will help protect the campus community against the spread of COVID.
“Masks have become my safety blanket over the past few months because we’ve been told constantly that it’s the best way to protect ourselves from the virus. Now that me and so many other people on campus are vaccinated, I feel like it’s acceptable for us to start moving away from the whole mask thing,” said a fourth editor. “If I do happen to get COVID, I hope that my vaccine does what it’s supposed to and keeps me from getting super sick.”
Even if there is a noticeable uptick in cases, the editors are confident that the University will respond accordingly in order to ensure the health and safety of the campus community. However, they hope that masks will not become required again and that the decision to wear a mask will be left up to personal choice. Furthermore, they hope that the circumstances surrounding COVID continue to improve so that masks are not needed at all next year, but only time will tell.