Mask Mistakes

One of the biggest problems that has been occurring on campus recently is that people are taking their masks off when they are inside buildings where they are supposed to be wearing them. This specifically is an issue inside the libraries around campus. It is not unusual for students to go to the library to study and do their work. The library has very limited seating currently due to Covid, so all of the chairs are 6 feet apart, and no one at long tables is sitting across from anyone. Students are going into the library, sitting down, and then taking their masks off. When I was there the other day, they had a police officer walking around telling people to put their masks on. I was shocked when people told them that they were allowed to have them off because they were eating and drinking. While some of them had food or a water bottle out, many of them fail to recognize that they can only move the mask when they are actively eating or drinking. It cannot just be used as an excuse to remove your mask. People were also putting it on until he walked away, and then just taking it right off again. It is kind of sad that people cannot seem to follow this simple rule.

This also occurred the other day when I was in the student center. They had a few workers routinely walking around to tables asking people to put their masks back on, or to pull them up over their mouths and noses. Many students are failing to recognize that they are still inside, and even though they are sitting down six-feet away from other people, they still need to wear their masks to protect themselves and everyone around them. It has gotten so bad that many departments, and even President Capilouto, are sending emails out to students to remind them that masks are required. They sent out appropriate and calm ways for students to encourage others to wear their masks as well. I hope that everyone starts to follow the rules so that we can stay on campus and keep everyone safe and healthy.