Mask Mandate Lifted
COVID-19 has changed our lives forever. Since the beginning of 2020, the world has gone through lockdown after lockdown and mandate after mandate. There are also those who question the legitimacy of the vaccine. Nevertheless, we have finally made a step in the right direction as sports, restaurants, and other forms of entertainment have opened up.
On March 7, 2022, the mask mandate was officially lifted in the state of New Jersey. This was approved by the governor in accordance with the Center for Disease Control guidelines. Given the continued drop in new cases and hospitalizations, projections indicate a continued decline over the coming months. In addition, more and more members of New Jersey's school-aged population are getting vaccinations. Consequently, Governor Murphy decided that making masks optional in the state's schools was a viable decsioon.
Union Catholic has decided to honor the New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy's decision and allow students to choose whether they want to wear a mask or not. Some students are excited to take their masks off. “I am happy that we won’t have to wear masks anymore. I didn’t like wearing them in school," said Nick Givan ‘22.
Others are more skeptical and may elect to continue wearing their mask in school. “I am hesitant to take my masks off. I don’t trust people; you never know what they could have,” said Maria Moncada ‘22.
In school, a lot of students have decided to wear masks but there has also been an equal amount who are grateful to be able to take them off. Some also wear their masks only in the hallways or in crowded spaces but take them off when learning in inidvidual seats or when socially-distanced at lunch.
Although things may never be the same as they were before it is still somewhat exciting to begin getting back to normalcy. Something that we all need after the past two years.
By: Chad Thomas ' 22