UMich Versus Masks
Examining the new change to the mask mandate
—By Andre Boutros and Andrew Ahn
Tragedy struck on October 11th, 2021, when University of Georgia senior Shawn Kuhn suddenly passed after an enduring battle with Covid-19. Fully vaccinated, a lover of soccer and cross-country and a high-academic student, Kuhn was completely healthy and one who many believed to be the least likely victim of Covid-19. However, as we have unfortunately learned, Covid-19 doesn’t discriminate and has devastated countless families, thus leading to mask mandates all around the world. Anyone, regardless of age or health status, is susceptible to Covid-19, which makes it all the more dangerous and should be treated very cautiously as such.
Going maskless at Michigan
It has been two years since the University of Michigan made an announcement to move classes online for the unforeseeable future due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the University of Michigan changed its mask policy on March 14th of 2022, stating that masks will no longer be required in most indoor spaces, and will essentially only be necessary in classrooms. The school stated that masks will no longer be required in residence halls, dining halls, athletic events, transportation, and in the lobbies and hallways of academic buildings. This new mandate, as one would expect, has been met by both supporters and critics alike.
The decision follows other universities like Michigan State and Washtenaw County schools (excluding Ann Arbor Public Schools), exempting the indoor mask requirement. The associate vice president of student life at Michigan, Robert Ernst, as well as the chief health officer, Preeti Malani, explained in the mandate update that the decision stemmed from a decline in positive Covid tests in Washtenaw County and a high vaccination rate among the school’s population. “As the rate of COVID-19 activity decreases on campus and our state and region move from a ‘Response’ to ‘Recovery’ phase of the pandemic, the Campus Health Response Committee is issuing new guidance regarding COVID response on campus,” explains Ernst, in the announcement made to members of the Michigan community. Although the mask policy has changed, the school’s vaccination policy that requires all faculty, students, and employees to be vaccinated still stands. In addition, students, faculty, and visitors are to continue ResponsiBLUE as a daily symptom screening check and to show proof of vaccination.
The effect of masks on Covid is a macro-level outcome on behalf of the population, where individual behaviors at the micro-level have an additive effect on their community. Masks are primarily aimed at reducing the emission of virus droplets by the wearer (“source control”), as well as to reduce inhalation of those droplets by another wearer, and are proven to be effective against reducing transmission of the respiratory virus. According to a report issued by the CDC on February 11th, 2022, “Consistent use of a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings was associated with lower odds of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result, with protection being highest among those who reported wearing a face mask or respirator all of the time.” While there is no guaranteed method to fully-preventing Covid, the CDC’s report illustrates the effectiveness of wearing a mask, especially in indoor environments, in preventing the spread and infection of Covid.
However, like all the policy changes with regard to Covid and masking, the question that remains is whether it was the correct decision or not. Ernst writes that “Mask use is still an effective strategy for enhanced personal protection, especially for those with compromised immune status, those who are not vaccinated or up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations, and anyone with a perceived increased situational risk.” However, one of the latest CDC statement releases explain that in a “Medium” COVID-19 Community Level, the current level of Washtenaw County, the use of masks is not a recommended prevention method for most individuals, excluding those who are immunocompromised, are highly susceptible for severe illness, and the elderly.
The symbolism of masks
Amidst the optimism of the change, School of Public Health Alumni Maya Millette remains skeptical. “I am happy to see the school moving forward in taking baby steps toward normality, but I am unsure about it. I feel like students are going to gradually start to care less and less about the pandemic. In general, however, I think mandating masks should not be the only mechanism that could or should be used to fight the spread of the pandemic—general hygiene, education, social safety, and vaccinations aid this process as well.” The biggest issue stems from mask mandates attempting to please everyone, explains Millette.
“Mask mandates have become an overly politicized topic. It really has a harsh negative impact on the public health efforts that local, state, and federal governments and organizations are trying to implement,” states Millette. “When people seem to have an emotional and/or aggressive reaction to masking in places like schools, public buildings, work spaces, etc., it speaks a lot to the ignorance of what wearing a mask actually means, not a political statement, even though our country has turned it into one.”
The decision to wear or not wear masks has become influenced by people’s political beliefs and less by their actual function. Thus, the debate over masks has intensified the polarization of the political parties and the nation altogether. While some believe that wearing a mask is a must in order to limit the spread of Covid-19, others believe that having the government dictate what one can and cannot wear is an infringement on their personal freedom. Thus, the issue of mask mandates has been a rather cantankerous one that has had political repercussions on the country.
To improve our situation, efforts should be collective, not controversial. “In order for a country like the US to continue to progress in our current economic and political climate we must meet people in the middle in order to find compromises for places of masking,” explains Millette. Millette emphasizes the importance of putting political differences aside and acting in unison to ensure the United States continues to prosper and best combat Covid-19.
Various opinions at Michigan
While there exists concern regarding the change, some individuals remain quite neutral. LSA Public Policy Major and former Central Student Government Treasurer Cameron Rifkin explains that the executive team does not hold any strong opinions toward the change. “The Central Student Government does not think much about the policy change, frankly, because not much changed. I do know that many people were happy about the necessity of masks in the gym being removed,” explains Cam. “CSG is curious as to when the mask necessity in classrooms will come to a close. I think we are ever so slowly going to get there. As vaccination rates continue to increase and cases continue to decrease, the school will make the executive decision to not require masks in class, which I think has been a big burden on a lot of people. I also think that the help of the new HVAC systems will help to ensure that the classroom is a safe environment before the change is made.”
Dr. Deepa Macha, an emergency medicine doctor whose son currently attends Michigan, regards the change from both a professional standpoint as well as a parent of a student. “As a doctor who was on the front lines during the peak of the pandemic, I have seen it all, and let me tell you that it is scary. Covid can have a devastating impact on even the healthiest people who would never expect it. Many underlying health diseases become apparent due to Covid.”
“I do believe that the administrative and executive staff of the school did an excellent job in taking the necessary precautions of opening up the school throughout the past year. Continuous monitoring of cases to inform the decisions regarding policy was well executed considering many of us have never experienced a pandemic before,” explains Dr. Macha.
Dr. Macha feels that health professionals are not receiving the recognition they deserve, especially considering the amount of time spent in their education and time they continue to spend to learn more about the pandemic every day to best inform their decision making. “Those in the position to make these difficult decisions are faced with many things to consider, especially how people will respond. With the number of cases decreasing, the hope is to return to normality for the sake of our lifestyles and the economy, but it is tough to be confident that the correct decision was made. These individuals care for the state of our nation and its future, and people should try to be more supportive,” says Macha.
International Studies major Samir Hafez explains that he was excited about the changes made to gyms and athletic events, something that is important to his mental health. “Playing basketball is something that I genuinely look forward to as it provides me an outlet to escape my daily academic stresses by doing something I love. I was very frustrated by the suspension of drop in basketball for that 2 or 3 month period until the mandate was updated, as some people were not being compliant with the mask policy. It was really disappointing that people can’t do their part to make this pandemic better for us students together. If you cannot wear your mask properly you shouldn’t be playing there. Also, it is really unfair to me that the school permitted tailgating throughout the year, but then the gym, arguably the most important mental health tool, was being watched with a stronger eye.” Now, with the update to the mask mandate, Hafez hopes that many students like him who struggled being unable to play sports recreationally can now feel a somewhat return to normalcy and an outlet to relieve stress and upkeep good mental health.
Latest effects of the change
On Friday, April 1st, Dr. Robert Ernst, Associate Vice President of Student Life and Preeti Malani, Chief Health Officer, announced that there had been a recent trend of increasing case counts of Covid-19, calling for the University of Michigan community to act cautiously and finish the semester as safely as possible. While there is no proven correlation between the loosening of the mask mandate a few weeks ago and the increase in Covid-19 cases, numbers prior to the updated mask mandate were continuing to show a decrease in cases in Washtenaw County. As the CDC has already reported, the wearing of facial coverings has been proven to intercept flying particles and reduce the chances of getting Covid-19. This, in turn, may force the University to revert its most recent changes to its mask policy, requiring the usage of masks in all indoor spaces as opposed to just classrooms.
LSA psychology major and freshman Amelia Schock believes that the sudden change to the mask mandate at the University of Michigan was implemented too quickly and rather rashly. “I’ve had family members and close friends suffer badly from Covid-19, and really think that the best way to go about decreasing risk is to wear a mask and think about others and not just ourselves. Wearing a mask is the best way to prevent the spread of Covid, so even if you don’t have it, I think that it’s in the best interest of everyone to keep people safe to wear a mask when indoors no matter what.” Additionally, some of her closest friends share this similar sentiment and are sometimes even scared of attending in-person classes. “There are times where some of my friends are even scared to go to classes because we know how dangerous Covid is and want to prevent getting sick or getting others sick too.” While many would have expected most college students to be rather indifferent to the mask policies, there are still plenty of students like Schock who care deeply about their safety and the health of friends and loved ones around them.
Too little or too much?
“Shawn Kuhn you were the perfect son!” Kuhn’s father, Timothy, wrote on Facebook. “You were everything your mother and I could have ever asked for and so much more. I just can’t believe you are gone. It just doesn’t make sense. The only thing that I can think is that you were such a good person that God rewarded you with an early pass into heaven. Just know that your mother and I love you more than you could ever imagine and we could not be any more proud of the man you grew to be. We will see you again someday. We love you son….. Always!”
Covid-19, while a rather miniscule issue for some, has undoubtedly torn apart plenty of families like the Kuhn family. In order to minimize the risk of spreading Covid-19 to limit the pain and suffering such as that felt by Kuhn’s friends and family, the University of Michigan must make sure to navigate Covid-19 in a way that ensures all students and faculty have the safest, best experience possible.
It will be interesting if or potentially when the school decides to make masks in classrooms optional, and how the decision will be received by the community and the national media. While there are people who are proponents of having less restricted mask policies, there are still plenty of others who feel safer and more comfortable if everyone were to wear a mask. While navigating such a challenging issue, administration faces the tough challenge of pleasing both parties, ensuring that the safety of the student body and faculty is of utmost importance when deciding on how to go about combatting Covid-19. Would universities offer a hybrid or fully-online version of classes if masks were to be optional in classrooms? Or would universities require that all students who are fully vaccinated attend classes if masks were no longer required in classrooms? With so many lingering questions, the university must do its best to continue to monitor the ever-changing situation and continue to put safety at the forefront of the table.
Feature Photo by Isaac Quesada via Unsplash