President Noland’s decision to institute a mask mandate is an attempt to bring what little normalcy is possible during a pandemic. With the delta variant of COVID-19 ravaging the country, it is a reasonable response. Organizations on campus, like the Young Democratic Socialists of America, have expressed their support of this policy in a statement writing, “Direct harm would be inflicted on the ETSU community in the event that this updated mask mandate is not instated.”
The mask policy may seem, on the surface, an affront to what “normalcy” means. If the people cannot breathe without a piece of cloth over their nose, then what does it mean for the state of America? The opposition to the policy have taken an individualist approach to the pandemic—they often believe this policy restricts the rights of the people.
Personally, I think this policy is needed, respectful and saves lives. Communities are at their best when they care for the weak. Students with chronic illness who might otherwise be unable to walk campus with a sense of safety are now able to attend classes more freely; whether this is normal or not can be debated.
There is a sense of community and welcoming in wearing a mask. The act of wearing the cloth says, “you are safe here” to many. I believe that is, in fact, the greatest sense of normalcy, the compassion of other humans. A little nuisance on my part saves the lives of others.
Dr. Noland instituted this policy so that we can return in person. In this view, the mask mandate is harm reduction and a benefits versus cost calculation. If the ETSU community were forced to attend classes online once again, then many more students would either drop out, or at the very least retain none of the information from their courses.
Despite the norm on campus this semester looking a little different, I know I will be happier. I will gladly take seeing my professors with masks instead of on a screen.
