oyster bay high school mask mandate lifted

By: Gwenyth Davey

On March 2nd, 2022, the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District announced that students would no longer be required to wear masks in school or on school grounds. Countless people were ecstatic to hear this announcement; however, some remain nervous about spreading COVID. 
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Many students were skeptical that the reprieve from masks would last, since infection rates were seemingly still rising, and the mandate had previously one been lifted for a single day earlier in the year. However, the mask mandate at Oyster Bay High School has not returned and students are free to share their smiles. When asked about the ease in restrictions, Scarlett Shelley, a 9th grader, said. “I like not being in a mask anymore, but a part of me worries that COVID will now spread more easily. If just one person gets COVID, we can all get it. But, it’s nice running around in the gym and paying sports without feeling like I’m going to pass out.” 

Walking down the school hallways, you will see a few students that continue to wear masks. Additionally, some students feel that masks will continue to resurgence in schools when students are recovering from illness or during cold and flu season to mitigate the chance of spread to others.
Lifting the mask mandate has left many students grappling with conflicting emotions as the world continues to reel from the many lifestyle changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is undeniable that students are happy to start seeing their lives more closely resemble pre-pandemic times. They are thankful to get back to normal and can’t wait for a time when masks will not even be a passing thought.