Pro: Off with masks

BY PETER POLYGALOV Reporter

According to the California Department of Public Health, starting on Feb. 16, wearing masks indoors will only be required for unvaccinated people. Some exceptions include Santa Clara and Los Angeles Counties.

But Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrrer said the timeline for lifting the mask mandate in the region has been accelerated to a likely start date of March 16.

So why is Los Angeles County trailing behind the rest of the state?

After all, it does seem like the general opinion toward wearing masks is shifting.

Part of the problem might be the lack of clear enforcement guidelines behind mask mandates.

While Mayor Garcetti has emphasized that under Governor Gavin Newsom’s “Safer at Home” order, persons not wearing masks can face a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail, the reality is that such cases of punitive action are few and far between.

Enforcement aside, the downsides of wearing masks for two years have been severely downplayed.

In an article for the Association of American Medical Colleges, Zina Jawadi writes about her experience going through medical school as a student with significant hearing loss.

“Finding and managing the right technologies consumes extensive time and energy, and is often exhausting and logistically challenging,” Jawadi wrote.

But not only students with disabilities are suffering from the pandemic’s impact. Masks aside, learning loss is a real thing and has affected all students since the start of the pandemic.

Mask mandates may be linked to providing a false sense of security in some.

According to an article published in The British Medical Journal (BMJ), the authors found that respiratory virus infection rates are significantly higher when using cloth-based masks as opposed to a lower risk of infection associated with medical masks.

Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has made statements, no clear state mandates were ever enforced specifying what type of masks must be worn. Some people might think that wearing a piece of cloth or a bandana over their face is just as effective as a medical- to wait two business days for the order to process. Walk-ins and unscheduled visits are not allowed. A matching I.D. must be presented at the appointment to get the book. They do allow friends or family to pick up the order as long as their name was stated in the order comments.

Pierce could send out an order confirmation email to the student’s Los Angeles Community College District email.

An article from the World Economic Forum estimated that 23 percent of the population purchased an e-book last year and 45 percent purchased a printed book. This shows that printed books are here to stay and that e-books are not always the best solution or alternative to buy a textbook.

Finally, by offering these alternatives and solutions, it will create a more comfortable environment for staff members and students. Purchasing at the Pierce Bookstore can be faster, and staff members can have an easier time helping students find what they need.