FCPS becomes mask-optional

MOVING ON FROM MASKS

Mask-optional policy offers choice to students and staff

arnav gupta NEWS EDITOR

It has been almost a month since FCPS implemented Virgina’s new mask-optional policy in accordance with CDC guidelines. The majority of students and staff have continued to wear masks since the policy changed on March 1, but some predict that more will opt out as time progresses.

“There is a bit of understandable hesitancy regarding removing masks that I would expect to ease up as time goes by,” science teacher Jeff Brocketti said. “We’ve been wearing masks for so long that it feels strange not to be wearing one.”

Students have varying opinions on masks, a choice which has been heavily politicized since the start of the pandemic. Some who removed their masks cite political views, while others refer to health guidelines.

“I’ve decided to stop wearing a mask as I feel that it is no longer necessary for safety purposes,” senior Stefan Van Biljon said. “With basically everyone being vaccinated and the CDC loosening its recommendations, I can’t see how [someone] would feel unsafe unless they had some sort of serious health problem.”

Some McLean students are concerned about the recent changes and worry that the mask-optional policy was implemented too soon.

“Masks are the smallest inconvenience but they have a major effect on not only reducing the spread of COVID-19, but any number of illnesses,” senior Leah Siegel said.

A portion of students are in the middle, remaining neutral on the policy.

“I really don’t mind wearing a mask, and it keeps people safe,” junior Callum PinkstonSayers said. “If everything goes well, and there is no rise in cases, I believe that this will definitely begin to shift things back to how they were before online school.”

For some students who would prefer to stop wearing their masks, the fear of judgment from classmates has been an inhibitor. “Overall, I’ve noticed that a lot more

I have the data for the survey I did: people would be willing to take off their masks if not for the uncertainty of social 16 8th period classes, 427 students pressure and how some teachers may react,” Van Biljon said. 79.6 % wearing masks, 20.4 % not wearing The administration is aware of this pressure and has encouraged tolerant How Many McLean Students Wear Masks?* behavior. Principal Ellen Reilly told staff to treat all students equally in a meeting prior to the mandate lift. “We all need to respect the decisions that others make,” school counselor Kathleen Otal said. “Everyone has their own personal response to this.” To ensure that all students feel comfortable in the new mask-optional environment, some teachers are taking steps to learn about students’ personal preferences about masks. “I posted a poll on Schoology to gauge comfort level regarding me going maskless,” Brocketti said. “I have tried to let students know that if they would like me to wear a mask, they can ask me, and they shouldn’t feel uncomfortable doing so.” Student Services and the school administration have been prepared for students’ mixed feeling about the policy. “I will continue to validate students’ feelings and concerns while encouraging them to respect the decisions of others,” Otal said. “At some point we will get back 80% 20% to a world where many people do not wear masks all day, and if that comes gradually, I *427 students observed during 8th period classes on March 15 think people will be more comfortable.”