After rule ends, 95% of students keep masks on
On the first day CVHS students could remove their masks at school, 5 percent did so while 95 percent kept theirs on, based on an examination of 300 students on March 14.
Exactly two years after CVUSD schools closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, for the first time, students and staff were no longer required to wear masks indoors. Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi announced the end of the requirement in an emails to staff, students and families.
“As we have done the last two years, CVUSD will follow the latest guidance from the Alameda County Public Health Department related to masking. Beginning March 14, although not required, students and staff are strongly recommended to wear masks indoors at all times while at school,” wrote Ahmadi.
Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement announcing the end of mask mandates in California schools on Feb. 28. CVUSD has aligned with Alameda County Public Health Department and California in their decision to lift the mandate.
Many CVHS Trojans are concerned by the new change and what it may mean for their safety at school.
“I think that it’s to move the country forward, but for me, I would still wear my mask so I could feel safer until everything is settled down,” stated senior Raniya Jin.
“I don’t like it because it isn’t safe,” said junior Rachel Koo.
“I understand masks off outdoors, but I don’t trust everyone else enough to be maskless indoors. I’ll keep my mask on to keep my peers, their families, and myself as safe as possible. I suggest you do the same,” said sophomore Emma Pham.
Some are hopeful about the progress in the fight against the coronavirus, but are still being cautious out of worry for others.
“Since we’re lifting the mask mandate, that’s a start to going back to normal, but it makes me nervous for populations who are more at risk,” said Biology teacher Emily Ledford.
The school district strongly recommends, but does not require, those who are unvaccinated to continue to wear masks.
“I think it follows being respectful to other people, and if you’re not vaccinated, that’s your choice, but it would be kind to wear a mask to protect other people who could still get sick,” said Ledford.
I think it being lifted surprised me at first because it was so much sooner than I thought. But I’m glad it’s an option for some people to keep it on or off. Personally I have been keeping it on especially indoors as I have baseball and don’t wanna risk infecting my team and I just want to be as safe as possible for now. I think maybe for next school year I can see the possibility of me not wearing it but for now I will keep it on for me and those around me.
I’m not too surprised by this. I thought it would be around 80% of people keeping their masks on instead of 95%. Since we have gone through 2 years wearing masks, I believe people generally tend to feel safer with it on. Plus, with spring break coming up, people are acting cautiously about covid cases rising again. I wonder, after spring break would we have to go back to full-on masking again if covid cases increase.
I feel like the mask mandate dropping is interesting. Neither good nor bad. I think it is good because if you don’t want to wear a mask you don’t have to and if you feel that you want to keep your mask on you can keep it on. Personally I chose to wear a mask indoors and not wear mine outside but that’s just my choice and I think you shouldn’t judge other choices weather it be to wear or to not wear a mask.
I think the reason as to why so many people are keeping their masks on is because we’ve become sort of used to it. We for the most part have been waking up, getting to school, and putting on our masks for quite some time now so I don’t think many people really mind it anymore. It’s a non-issue I guess. Maybe there is also a bit of that worry that you’ll be looked at weird if you’re the only one in your class not wearing a mask so I think that mentality could also contribute a bit.
I like how the mask thing is optional now. With that being said, its obviously safer for yourself and others to keep a mask on especially indoors because the virus still exists. This is especially true if you hang out with people that aren’t vaccinated or you yourself isn’t vaccinated.
In my opinion, I think it’s great that 95% of the student body is choosing to keep their masks on. Even though the pandemic is seen to have settled, the virus still exists. For me personally, I think lifting the mask mandate indoors is a little too soon. However, the lift of the mandate brings hope to us as we’re starting to move toward the old “normal”. I choose to keep my mask on out of respect and safety of others around me and my family. There may be some families that are susceptible to the virus that have their children attend school in person. So, for the comfortability of others and their safety, seeing 95% of students choosing to wear a mask is great.
Personally, I thought it was a little too early to end the mask mandate, but I think it’s a good thing that most people are still wearing masks to keep everyone safe. Even though I thought it was a little early, most workplaces are starting to require vaccinations so at least most people can take off their masks safely. I also kinda get why some people would take their masks off since it’s been two years since the pandemic started but luckily most of cvhs is also vaccinated, I think.
I find it interesting that mostly everyone continued wearing their masks. I think the biggest reason for this is because we want to stay safe and we have also gotten used to wearing masks. Personally i would’ve taken off my mask if everyone did also but i’m kind of glad everyone decided to keep theirs on because i’m kind of self conscious of how my face looks and masks make me feel more comfortable.
I think it’s interesting how we continue to keep our masks on even after the rule was lifted. I think it’s very thoughtful and smart not just for covid precautions but for everyone’s well-being and health. I’m glad to see us as a community take action and deal with these new changes at a smart and safe approach.
I think that at this point in the pandemic most people don’t really mind wearing masks, and don’t see any incentive to not wear them even though it’s no longer required. Although the article didn’t touch on it, it also seems that most if not all teachers are choosing to remain masked– which makes sense given that they have the most potential exposures out of anyone.
I think that even the rules changed, but doesn’t mean that it actually ended, it changed from Manda to recommend. Masks are still important to us, for our friends, family, teachers, even to ourselves, so glad those people are still wearing masks, but 5% isn’t a small number, you can still see people around the school campus, might be your teacher, friends, or other staff member. Before the COVID totally ends, I will still be wearing my masks, for myself, my friends, and all other peoples.
It’s nice that finally after more than a year of covid that we are finally able to be maskless around school. Even though majority of people still choose to wear masks, which is totally okay, we are finally making progress through this epidemic and hopefully it will all be over soon. I’m thinking by next year not many people will be wearing masks and it will still all be safe around each other.
Honestly, I thought more students or staff would remove their masks, I was not expecting only 5%, I was very surprised to see students wearing their masks. I currently still wear my mask, I feel more comfortable this way. I don’t see myself removing my mask anytime soon, I just feel a lot safer with it on, and I wouldn’t want to risk getting sick or especially getting someone else sick.
I am not surprised by this. It is pretty well known that if everyone is doing something, then they will probably continue doing it (you get used to it). What is interesting though is that not everyone kept the mask. I would think that peer pressure (which many teachers have warned students about, about how it could lead to students doing dangerous things) would cause the last bit of students to follow the rest and keep their mask; I would’ve thought that the last 5% of people who are unmasked would feel out-of-place and/or alienated, so they would’ve put masks back on. But in my opinion, I think that the mask mandate should still be in place indoors. This is because ventilation is much, much, much worse indoors and probably spreads the virus much more efficiently. I would even push for (better) filters to be installed into the ventilations systems indoors, but it seems that nobody is really considering that right now.
I find it surprising that 95% of students at our school continued to wear a mask even after the mask mandate was lifted. I think that masks are beneficial and should still be worn until covid is completely over.
I thought that many more kids would have their masks off as I kept hearing people say that they are tired of wearing one. Personally, I am glad that many students still keep their mask on. This is a big school and while covid is still active, it is important to keep yourself and other people safe.
It’s nice to see that 95% of our school is keeping their masks on even though the mask mandate was lifted. It shows that many people are still concerned for themselves and other people’s safety. In my opinion I think it’s fine for people to not wear a mask outdoors but I think people should definitely put on their masks indoors since you’re more in contact with other people inside than outside.
I agree with what was quoted by Emily Pham as I would also keep my mask on for others and myself, although I’ve hated wearing a mask for school, I would still keep it on as it would keep me protected from getting the virus and I don’t see any time soon when I would take it off. although I do question what the other 5% think about it now, whether that being now feeling outcasted or proud that it was finally lifted. One suggestion I would recommend is a recount of students. I don’t agree with 300 students representing the whole population as the school’s population is well over 300, a school-wide survey from the admission would be best to get the most exact percentage of the population of students who choose to wear and not wear a mask
I have made the decision to keep wearing masks out of caution. Although progress is being made, it is not a good idea to make large jumps for the sake of time. I feel that the majority of students choosing to do the same is expected, as slower changes are safer. After a while, gradually more students will choose to not wear masks.
I think that it is good that people are continuing to keep their mask on. This prevents another outbreak from starting. In some cases, like the outdoors I think not wearing a mask is fine since there is more circulation of air, but indoors is still a bit risky with people in close proximity to one another.
I’m happy to see that majority of the people at CVHS chose to keep their masks on. Just because the rule has been lifted does not mean COVID is completely gone. There are people who are still at risk, people who have weak immune systems, and those who are not able to get the vaccines. Those people still depend on the majority to keep their masks on. Until COVID is completely gone, I will choose to keep my mask on.
I was expecting a lot more students to remove their masks at school, but I’m glad most people aren’t. I personally keep my mask on because it makes me feel safer, especially since I’m around so many people during school. I also keep it on to keep those around me safer.
Personally I don’t want to take off my mask in school. I just think that I can’t guarantee where my classmates had been. And I can not guarantee what people I have been contact with. I just want to keep my family and friends around me to be safe. And to be honest it felt weird when taking off mask in the public because we had been wearing mask for 2 years, it’s just weird and really strange.
I was honestly surprised to find out that 95% of students still keep their masks on. I find it really thoughtful that majority of students kept their masks on. Because even though they might not have family that has a much larger health risk if they get covid, others do. So the fact that they’re keeping their masks on protects other people’s families as well.
I think its good that most people are still wearing a mask because covid is still active. Having no masks outdoors is reasonable but indoors, everyone should still have on their masks to avoid another covid outbreak and go back to square one.
I’m not one to care too much about what other people do but it is really nice to see how many students are still keeping their masks on. Others taking them off is fine to me, it’s their decision, but for me it’s become more of a comfort thing and I think others can agree. Most of, A LOT of actually, our high school experience has been with masks on and it would just feel strange to have them off now. That also factors into the safety of it, protecting others from Covid and its variants and protecting themselves. One day the world will go back to normal but i’m glad that for now, while Covid is still out there, most of us are still keeping their masks on. It’s your decision though!
I feel still keep my mask on to keep the other people around me safe. There are immunocompromised people go to this school that I don´t want to be a danger to. I enjoy seeing the students at this school take care of one another and keep each other safe. Covid is still here and I am not willing to risk other people’s health.
Honestly I can understand the mask lift outside but inside not so much. I think for everyone its their personal choice but some are more at risk than others. A lot of people unfortunately forget we are still in a pandemic. While still being in this pandemic there are still more people who will get more sick than you. It all comes down to your personal choice and at the end of the day whether most of the school agrees to keep their mask on for health reasons, Its not gonna be heard.
I think it’s great the great majority of students are keeping their masks on! While I can somewhat understand why some people opted to take theirs off, COVID is still a thing, of course. Just because mask mandates are being lifted, doesn’t mean COVID is gone and never coming back. I’m personally keeping mine on to keep myself, my friends, my family, and everyone else safe, and I think it’s great that many people are doing the same!
It was a good to see that 95% of the students had kept their masks on even though it’s not required to. This really shows that most of the students are being cautious and safe as possible next to their peers at all times. This new mandate feels like that only a few people can apply to but for the rest part of it, it didn’t really affect anyone. I feel like that having the mask on is the best way to keep everyone’s life and their families safe. I would personally keep my on even though it’s either indoor or outdoor.
I agree that it is important to think about the safety of yourself and others if you are thinking of not wearing a mask in class. I think it’s nice to have time without your mask on, but people should be aware of their surroundings when doing so.
I do feel like keeping our masks on at school is the best thing for now. We don’t know when another surge is going to happen. Since I know that some people at school are not vaccinated, it makes me very cautious because I don’t want to get covid from someone at school when I can easily avoid it by wearing a mask and protecting myself. The mask mandate has become very political and I think it just shows how people really feel about the whole situation. If we can just wear our masks until the end of the year, maybe next year we can not have to even worry about wearing a mask at all.
I believe that it is good that people have an option to choose whether or not they can wear masks. But I do believe that we should respect each other’s opinions.
I think that it’s good people are keeping their masks on because COVID is still a thing and masks help keep you and everyone safe.
I see why a lot of students are keeping their masks on, I still have mine on because I don’t want covid again.
I think people should just let others do what they want, if they want to take off their mask let them but if they dont thats okay too.
It’s interesting to see that most people are keeping their masks on. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but I am glad because it helps people feel safer at school.
I think it is cool that they did a survey on students to ask if they still wear masks
It’s good to see that students are being safe and keeping their masks on rather than having them off.
I’m glad many people are still keeping their masks on, even though COVID isn’t affecting as many people as the start of 2022, it’s always better to stay safe than to deal with COVID.
It is always a good choice to take the safer road.
I find it interesting that there are so many people that continue to wear masks even though they aren’t required anymore that the school has to do a survey about it.
In my opinion, I really like the idea of 95% of students keep their masks on. The virus is still affecting people and because of that, wearing a mask is still very important.
It’s good to see most of the student body still wearing a mask indoors because I feel like its still not completely safe to take off your mask yet, especially because there’s a new variant going around.
I am curious to how that will change over the course of the year, i know some people plan on leaving them on the whole time which is definitely the safer option but i can also see why people would take it off after 2 years.
I think that people should continue to wear a mask at least when they are around others who are uncomfortable with people being around them without a mask. I am still double-masking because I am trying not to get COVID or the flu, so I double-mask, and I am perfectly fine. I will NOT take my mask off until at least 90% of our population is vaccinated.
I’m happy to see that 95% of students continue to wear masks. It makes me feel a lot more comfortable because it would be weird if I was the only one wearing a mask. It feels the same as it has been, which is a good thing.
I feel like its better this way as keeping safe is my number one priority but if you want to get your mask off its fine.
It shocks me how 95 % of people still wear a mask. I expected a lot more people to not wear a mask. I feel like the environment will also be safer for those especially with already occurring health issues
Castro Valley High school students concerned about their health tells a great thing about our school, even though we can all take our masks off now by law, students decide to go the safer route and keep it on.
I wonder how much the percentage will change by the end of the school year. Will it be significantly fewer people wearing masks or just about the same as it is now? I guess we will find out.
I am glad that 95% of students are keeping their masks on and being safe it makes me feel better about myself.
I think that its a good thing now that we have a choice whether to wear it or not because people may want to and other may not so now its not an issue for those who dont want to wear it.
I think it’s cool that a survey was already conducted about how many people still wear masks
I’m really glad that a lot of other students are also keeping masks on. It makes me feel a bit more safer.
I really think that keeping our masks on as a school is better for everyone’s health