Tia Laury is a freshman journalism major at MU. She is an opinion columnist who writes about racial, societal and relationship matters for The Maneater.
The coronavirus has forced our world to go into lockdown since spring 2020. At MU, students and faculty have learned how to adapt to wearing masks in educational and social settings. However, due to recently improved conditions of COVID-19 cases, the MU Incident Command Team lifted the requirement of masks on campus. This news not only affects individuals at MU, but also the university’s image since the pandemic is still prevalent.
The UM System Board of Curators met on Sept. 13 to discuss what mask requirements to implement for MU students and faculty, until a follow-up meeting in October. Previously, the guidelines required masks indoors when social distancing was not applicable. However, in a recent board meeting on Sept. 30, they decided that wearing masks is now optional.
An email sent to faculty and students on Oct. 14 encouraged everyone to wear masks indoors despite them not being required. There are suggestions for wearing masks, such as signs on classroom doors implemented across campus. However, many said they don’t understand why masks are now optional. The majority of the COVID-19 patients are not vaccinated, said MU Health Care. Moreso, the carelessness of not requiring masks can increase virus cases as the year goes on.
Many individuals have severe complications due to COVID-19, such as Columbia resident Phil Neff who almost lost his life to the virus. Every day we are surrounded by thousands of people who could carry a life-threatening virus, which can inflict more health problems in the MU community.
Research from the World Health Organization shows that from Jan. 20, 2020, to Oct. 18, 2021, there have been 92,247,781 confirmed cases of the virus in America. These case numbers fluctuate daily and still impact the lives of many.
The pandemic put the classic college experience on hold for many students. When COVID-19 first became abundant at the beginning of 2020, college students were deprived of in-person learning because of the drastic rise in cases from 228 in August 2020, to nearly triple the amount one month later. MU students had to learn remotely, while still trying to achieve satisfactory academics and socializing. Without much direct engagement, many students fell short of their goals.
The current mask policy has the potential to revive remote learning because safety precautions against the coronavirus are now optional. If the case count gets worse and the university goes remote, students will have to re-learn how to make do with no face-to face-interactions, which will falter their success in college. Many people are eager to partake in public events, such as sporting games, festivals and concerts. The lack of safety measures now that masks aren’t required suggests the possibility of returning to virtual living: canceled game seasons and watching events online without the enjoyment from others in close proximity.
Toward the middle of 2021, in-person events and educational circumstances were functioning closer to normal throughout many parts of society. The state of Missouri, Boone County and MU representatives allowed students and faculty to return on campus in August, yet required every person to wear a mask and follow a 6-foot distance from one another indoors only. Data from MU shows a decrease in cases from the peak of 683 in September 2020, to 23 as of October 2021. The help of masks and the vaccine can influence the reduction of people affected at MU due to the consideration of safety procedures.
Now, many students are worried about a rise in cases because even though there is a low count of cases at MU, there will be insufficient protection due to the new mask policy. This could make more people prone to catching the virus. Some individuals are not fully vaccinated, and while wearing masks does not prevent the chances of getting COVID-19, it does help reduce the spread of the disease because of less direct interactions amongst people. Now that there is no mask policy, it depicts the lack of care MU for the health and safety of individuals on campus.
Studies from MedRxiv indicate that simply wearing a mask can reduce the spread of the coronavirus by 40%. What contradicts this idea is that MU officials are taking away that chance of reduction because they are releasing the mask mandate that has kept COVID-19 cases minimized within the course of almost two years.
As an individual who had the coronavirus previously, I prioritize my health and the people who surround me as my main concern because facing this life-changing sickness can be detrimental. Fellow friends and peers have been put into lockdown because of being in close contact with someone who had the virus. Some students have had to spend their college experience at home because of common virus symptoms, such as lack of taste or smell. However, requiring masks has allowed many students to enjoy their time at MU on campus as of August 2021. The university would reduce current health concerns simply by extending the mandate for everyone to wear masks.
This virus is not only impacting college students but also immunocompromised individuals and their families and communities need to avoid coming in contact with the virus because of other medical conditions. Although wearing a mask at MU is now optional, students and faculty should keep in mind that the pandemic has not ended just because the university is returning back to pre-pandemic life.
Donation Link: The Maneater believes their readers should participate in maintaining safety for all individuals at MU. Donate directly to MU if you are able. Thank you. Donate Now (giving.missouri.edu)
Edited by Sarah Rubinstein | srubinstein@themaneater.com
