The Marquette Tribune
Opinions
10 Tuesday, February 22, 2022
PAGE 10
Editorial Board
Alexandra Garner, Executive Opinions Editor Hope Moses, Assistant Opinions Editor Aimee Galaszewski, Executive Director Benjamin Wells, Managing Editor of The Marquette Tribune Skyler Chun, Managing Editor of The Marquette Journal
Megan Woolard, News Executive John Leuzzi, Sports Executive Randi Haseman, A&E Executive Lelah Byron, Projects Editor
Eleanor McCaughey, Copy Chief Grace Pionek, Design Chief Izzy Bonebrake, Executive Photo Editor Nancy Flaherty, Social Media Executive
Andrew Amouzou, Station Manager of MUTV Reese Seberg, Station Manager of MURadio Alex Rivera Grant, Editor of Diversity and Inclusion
STAFF EDITORIAL
Be safe on National Marquette Day
National Marquette Day should be a day to celebrate each other and the Marquette bond that we share. This also means making sure we are all safe and care for one another. While Saturday, Feb. 26 is a day to have fun, acting in unsafe manners is an easy way to ruin it, potentially putting each others’ health and well-being at risk. People intending to drink should also be responsible and know their limits. Drinking past limits could not only lead to alcohol poisoning but also put people in dangerous situations. Additionally, having to go to the emergency room due to alcohol poisoning could take a space away from someone with an unavoidable medical emergency, such as a severe COVID-19 case.
It’s also important that students be the difference and take action if they see other students who are in unsafe situations on National Marquette Day. Every first-year student living on campus participates in Red Band Watch training, which teaches students how to recognize the signs of acute intoxication and how to intervene in potentially dangerous situations. Students should remember and even revisit this training before National Marquette Day, keeping in mind the signs of a lifethreatening overdose: the person cannot be woken up, they get sick and don’t wake up, they have slow breathing or cold, clammy or altered skin. If you are unsure if someone needs help, it is better to be proactive and cautious.
Call 911. Know when it’s time to get help. Someone’s health is also more important than getting in trouble. If you are alone and need assistance, call a friend, someone you trust or 911. Additionally, people should not try to peer pressure others into drinking or doing things they don’t want to do. Some students may also struggle with addiction and mental health issues, so pressuring them into drinking may be triggering and put them in unsafe situations. Consent is also important. If someone cannot offer consent, do not try to have sex with them, or try to pressure them into having sex. It’s that simple. There are a lot of events this upcoming weekend on campus where students can have fun and
be sober. Marquette University Student Government is handing out beads and stickers among other spirit wear at The Commons from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 26. The Commons is also hosting a brunch party from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. as well as a watch party for the men’s basketball game at 12 p.m. Feb. 26. Marquette is hosting a pep rally and brunch at 10 a.m. at Mecca Bar and Grill. There will also be a Late Night Breakfast event hosted by Late Night Marquette later that day at 9 p.m. Students can also go to the men’s basketball game at 12 p.m. at Fiserv Forum. The day after National Marquette Day, there will also be a pregame reception at the Union Sports Annex at 12 p.m. as well
University should lift mask mandate
Laura Niezgoda As COVID-19 vaccination rates increase and COVID-19 cases decrease, the United States, cities and universities across the country are dropping mask mandates. Marquette University should follow suit. The University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson announced Feb. 16 that the UW system would be phasing out the indoor mask mandate as soon as March 1 and no later than spring break. This announcement addressed high vaccination rates in students and faculty and the lowering number of cases on college campuses. This announcement also follows Dane County’s expiring indoor mask mandate March 1, as it will not be renewed. The mask mandate in Milwaukee will end March 1. Across the UW system, vaccines were required in order for the universities to obtain federal funding in compliance with President Joe Biden’s executive order. This order
imposed a vaccine mandate for all federal contractors, individuals who have a contract with the United States government to complete a job. While this was just required of faculty and staff, the UW system expanded this mandate so that all students must have the primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine by Jan. 4. All 13 universities across 26 different campuses, including UW-Madison and UWMilwaukee have a COVID-19 dashboard. These dashboards track infection rates, COVID-19 tests and vaccinations statuses. At UW-Milwaukee, the COVID-19 dashboard reports that 91% of the student population is vaccinated and 83% of the faculty and staff are vaccinated. In comparison, Marquette’s COVID-19 dashboard reports that 94% of students are vaccinated with the primary series and 85% are boosted. As for faculty and staff, 95% of employees have the primary series and 79% are boosted. The risks of COVID-19, such as severe illness, hospitalization and death are diminishing, especially among the majority of
college-aged students. The rates of hospitalization for 18-29 yearolds are 78.5 per 100,000 cases as of September 2020, a time prior to the widespread availability of vaccines that lower the risk of hospitalization and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the omicron variant symptoms are generally less severe than prior variants. The vaccine and booster have proved to be 90% effective in preventing hospitalization. Across the country, transmission rates of the omicron variant have dropped by 67% over the past fourteen days. For those who are vaccinated and boosted, which 82% of Marquette is, the threat of COVID-19 is diminishing. If the UW system is lifting their mask mandate, even though their students are not required to be boosted yet, Marquette, which required the booster for the spring semester, should lift it too. Major cities and schools in Wisconsin are not the only places that are dropping their mask mandates. New York State, Washington and New Mexico are among the most recent states to drop their indoor
mask mandate, including in schools. Some Americans have expressed concern over dropping the mask mandate, arguing that it is too soon to be removing all of these restrictions. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical advisor to Biden, advised against easing up restrictions too soon in an interview released Feb. 19. He expects the CDC will come out with an update on mask-wearing very soon. A majority of college students have not experienced the traditional college experience. Mixed reactions between students consist of worry and excitement regarding the updated mask policy. Lifting the mask mandate proposes the chance of normalcy for students. If Marquette ends the mask mandate, it is not implying that you should stop wearing your mask. The students and faculty who are either not vaccinated or immunocompromised should continue to wear well-fitting masks. The CDC recommends N95s for the highest level of protection. If wearing a mask is what makes you comfortable, wear a mask.
as a women’s basketball game at 2 p.m. in the Al McGuire Center Feb. 27. Dressing appropriately for the weather on Saturday is also important, considering the current weather forecast predicts a 30-degree and below day. We must also be mindful of the communities living near Marquette, making sure to be respectful of property and noise levels. While National Marquette Day is a time to celebrate the Marquette community, we need to remember that we are closely knit with nearby communities. Regardless of how students choose to celebrate, making safe decisions and being aware of your surroundings and friends is essential to having a fun National Marquette Day.
The mask mandate should not be an imposed restriction to those to whom COVID-19 poses little threat. Instead, it should be a choice for those who are vaccinated and boosted. People want to protect themselves and their communities, but making choices about public health is challenging and involves tradeoffs. COVID-19 restrictions can help minimize the threat of COVID-19, but it also has terrible consequences. These consequences, such as mental health problems, lost learning for children and isolation, are immensely damaging to our society. Though there are risks to lifting the mask mandate, the benefits outweigh the risks. Lifting the mask mandate is safe given the vaccination status of our community and the declining number of cases on campus. Marquette should lift its mask mandate, signaling a step into a post-pandemic future. Laura Niezgoda is a sophomore studying communication studies and criminology and law studies. She can be reached at laura.niezgoda@marquette.edu
