Transition to CHoice in Mask Wearing Has Proven Positive So Far
By Ava DeSimone
When I walked into school on last Monday, I immediately thought to myself, “I need to put my mask on."
That thought had become such a habit: putting my mask on before walking into school. At first it was unusual to say the least when seeing most students' faces. But it has proven easy to get used to, and even though it was characterized as a big change in the school systems, it seemed less of a change than I thought.
The mask mandate was lifted last week in many schools, including Mashpee Middle High School, which is something many of us thought we wouldn’t see for a while. Other than not wearing masks, there have been other changes with it, including going back to lunch tables and being able to sit right next to each other. While this is a very exciting thing for many, others may not be as excited, including individuals who are very worried about the pandemic and younger students who have only been at the school with masks on and that is all they know at MMHS.
There is still the option for students to keep a mask on if they are uncomfortable, or even for other personal reasons.
When I walked into school on last Monday, I immediately thought to myself, “I need to put my mask on."
That thought had become such a habit: putting my mask on before walking into school. At first it was unusual to say the least when seeing most students' faces. But it has proven easy to get used to, and even though it was characterized as a big change in the school systems, it seemed less of a change than I thought.
The mask mandate was lifted last week in many schools, including Mashpee Middle High School, which is something many of us thought we wouldn’t see for a while. Other than not wearing masks, there have been other changes with it, including going back to lunch tables and being able to sit right next to each other. While this is a very exciting thing for many, others may not be as excited, including individuals who are very worried about the pandemic and younger students who have only been at the school with masks on and that is all they know at MMHS.
There is still the option for students to keep a mask on if they are uncomfortable, or even for other personal reasons.
"Change is a big thing, especially after being in a routine for a while. Our brain considers change as a threat, which releases fear."
Going back to school on Monday, February 28th and seeing everyone without masks on was not as big of a change as I thought it would be. For some people I have never seen before without masks on, it was a big difference, but for others it did not seem that big of a shift. Especially since many students would have their masks lower than their nose and we were able to go outside in classes last spring, where we were allowed to take our masks off.
Last year, when people would lower their masks in classes, it made many people uncomfortable, including myself. This was when COVID numbers were still very high and not as many people were vaccinated, so there was room for worry. Fast forward to a year later, with more people vaccinated and boosted, we are not wearing masks anymore, and it seems normal and way less worrisome.
As a junior in high school, I have not had a full normal year of high school. We had a normal year until March of 2020, but after that, school was online and most of us were going to school every other week, with masks on. Even up until February 28th of this year, all students were wearing masks.
While this is bringing a sense of normalcy back into our lives, it can cause some stress, like the aspect of change and how most of us are made to resist change and that is the first reaction. Since we are so used to wearing masks, the ones who may not like change can be less excited. Change is a big thing, especially after being in a routine for a while. Our brain considers change as a threat, which releases fear. Rushing to the cafeteria to get a table with friends at lunch can also create anxiety and stress. Especially because now there are only allowed to be eight students at the new rectangular lunch tables, and six at the circular tables. While getting a seat next to my friends is not my biggest concern, it could be for the younger students. When I was in middle school and we had the normal lunch tables with more than eight spots, I was worried about whether I would be able to get a spot next to my friends. Many underclassmen may feel this way as well.
While being able to actually sit with friends instead of sitting three feet apart in desks is much better, there are also downsides. The first day of lunch, there were nine students at a table instead of eight, and one of them had to move. It is understandable that the students have to follow the protocols; however, making one kid leave the lunch table and announcing it on the microphone can create embarrassment and even make people not look forward to lunch, because no one wants to sit alone.
It is apparent that most MMHS students are excited about attending school without masks. I’m sure the seniors are especially, considering they get to end their last few months of high school with some normalcy that they did not have a few months ago. As a junior, it is a great feeling to be able to be back in school normally, since it has been almost two years.
This change has had a positive impact on MMHS students and staff so far. While it is a change that many of us thought was not going to come for a while, it is one that has created excitement and anticipation of a better connection between students and staff that was hard to have when wearing masks.