COMMODORE MEDIA GROUP

When faced with the question of a mask mandate this school year, the Lafayette County School Board concluded that masks would not be mandated but strongly recommended. Due to recent surges of positive COVID-19 cases, this recommendation is now a requirement for students, staff, and faculty in the Upper Elementary and High School until September 10, 2021.

While the original policy heavily encouraged the use of masks on campus, it did not strictly require students, faculty, and staff to wear face coverings. 

After seeing a rise in coronavirus infections in the first few days, LHS Principal Glenn Kitchens issued the statement, “Students and faculty will… wear a mask on buses, in all buildings, and during transitions.” 

This new guideline has followed the advice of major health organizations, like the Mississippi State Department of Health. They released a document saying, “Consistent and correct mask use by all students, teachers, staff, and visitors regardless of vaccination status is vital to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.” 

These rulings have impacted kids in school and at home, including concerns over family health, obtaining extracurricular opportunities, keeping up with school work, and a desire for normalcy.

Mia Dawson, a junior at LHS, was one student feeling the effects of the recent decisions. A proponent of masks, Dawson worried that the initial lack of face coverings would impact her family’s health. 

“My dad has asthma and when he got COVID in November, he struggled.” With the mask mandates, Mia says, she feels her family will be better protected from the coronavirus. 

Some students are also concerned about the decision’s effect on their futures.

“If the school’s decision… leads to… more shutdowns, I will be stripped of one of the most important [cross country] seasons in my career,” Dawson said. She also worries returning to virtual learning will negatively impact her education, which grows ever more likely as COVID-19 cases spike.

While some students are grateful for the change in masking rules, others are not as supportive of the decision. 

Freshman Kaylee Carpenter said, “I don’t really want to wear the mask, but if it can help others then I’ll just do what I have to do.” Although Carpenter is not enthusiastic about wearing a mask at school, she does acknowledge that the mask mandate could be beneficial for her family’s health and her education. 

“If my little brother (3 months old) caught it he might not make it, the same with my grandfather who has cancer,” Carpenter stated when asked if the mask mandate would affect her family. The mask mandate will also decrease the chances of returning to hybrid or virtual learning, which was challenging for students like Carpenter. 

“It was much harder to focus because of my ADHD. My grades dropped, but when I was back in school they went… up.”

As everyone has seen these first few weeks, the masking rules at LCSD are subject to change as COVID-19 numbers fluctuate.