Masks at CJSHS: what do people think?

As Covid cases and infection rates in California have plummeted over the past weeks, mask mandates and social distancing mandates have been slowly peeled away by Governor Gavin Newsom and local health authorities. Most recently affected by removal of these restrictions were public schools across the state. As of March 11th, students and faculty have been given the liberty to choose whether or not they wear a mask. For the most part, students can be seen wearing masks on campus, however, there is a significant minority of students who have decided to ditch face coverings. In an exclusive poll conducted by the Calistoga Newspaper Club, some insight has been provided into the opinion students have on this recent change in mask policy. 

For the most part, many students, masked and unmasked, believe that mask-wearing is a personal choice. In a poll conducted by our Editor, Sean Birge, 43.6% of students said they have a positive view or support the removal of a mask mandate at school and 27.3% of students reported they have a neutral view of removing the mask mandate. Evidently, many students are in favor of personal choice like sophomore Azul Ceron, who has opted to remove her mask. When asked about her opinion on masks, Ceron stated “I think the mask mandate should be a choice [for] everyone... some people are comfortable about removing their mask but some people don't do it for themselves but because they go home to a big family, they are worried they put them at risk…so if they want to wear the mask it's fine… it should remain a choice.” This favoring of personal choice appears to be a common theme among students at CHS: many are content in keeping their mask on, but they don’t believe it should prevent others from not wearing one. Among this group, some hold that the whole mask issue has become politicized. One student, who wishes to remain anonymous says “[masks] have become less to do with the pandemic and more to do with your political position”. This student also remarked that he believes masks “should be a choice” and that nobody should “dehumanize [him] for not wearing a mask”. This view shows a variance in the anti-mandate camp, but a uniform core value of the right to choose what one wears on one's face or not.

 Nevertheless, this doesn’t leave out the 29.1% of students who are opposed to removing the mask mandate. One of these students is junior Victoria Hickman, who has opted to continue wearing a mask. In her response to questions regarding masks, Hickman said “masks still need to be worn to decrease the risk of catching Covid”. Additionally, Hickman believes masking up is “a health [issue] because everybody wants everybody to be healthy”. Hickman, along with nearly a third of the school’s opinion lines up with the latest CDC studies published regarding mask-wearing. In a summary of the study, it is stated “Face masks or respirators (N95/KN95s) effectively filter virus-sized particles in laboratory settings.” and “Consistent use of a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings was associated with lower odds of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result”. Data from the study showed a 66% lesser chance of contracting Covid if one is to wear a surgical mask. The only caveat to this data is how it will apply outside of a lab setting. Regardless of the study, what is clear is the divisive nature of the mask-issue. Not all at school agree to wear a mask and not all at school agree not to wear a mask.

Ultimately, the question is: what can one take away from this? The answer is that most still wear a mask, but most like the idea of mask-wearing being voluntary. For now, the governing officials at school and in the county appear to agree with this view and only time will tell how things move forward with the contentious topic of mask-wearing. 

By: Aaron Heth

Photo: Shannon Guilliams