By Sushant Kunwar
Earlier this week, Governor Ned Lamont announced that the CT mask mandate for schools will be lifted, and starting Feb. 28, the decision of mask requirements will be left to the school districts. The Branford Board of Education is hosting a hearing this week to receive public comments regarding this decision.
I believe that Branford Public Schools should maintain the mask mandate past Feb. 28; it’s still too early to regress from taking measures against the spread of Covid-19. It’s understandable that people want to move on from the pandemic, but it’s an unfortunate reality of our time. We need to remain vigilant to ensure that the effects of the pandemic are minimized.
We are only just nearing the end of the Omicron variant wave. In the past 30 days, over 73,000 lives have been claimed by Covid-19 in just the United States. Though the deaths and positive cases are starting to decrease, this is not a good time to relax the rules. We should be looking at the decrease of these statistics as an indication that our efforts are paying off. However, that shouldn’t mean that we start getting complacent.
In Branford, specifically, 67.89% of individuals ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated, and just 37.45% of individuals ages 5-11 are fully vaccinated. These numbers indicate the vaccination rates in our school populations cannot justify lifting the mask mandate. It’s still essential to wear masks in public, indoor settings, especially for a relatively under-vaccinated population.
The CDC recommendation for masking in schools is still the same: all students, teachers, and staff should stay masked in schools, regardless of vaccination status. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky also warns against taking rash steps towards normalcy while the pandemic is still prevalent.
Personally, I feel safer going into school knowing that everyone is wearing their masks. For many other students and myself, knowing that proper measures are being taken to combat the spread of Covid-19 in school provides a great sense of security. I understand that masks can be a nuisance, but it’s a small sacrifice to protect vulnerable members of our community. This is an understanding among many members of the student body.
Masks are crucial tools to stop the spread of Covid-19. It’s scientifically proven that they reduce the transmission of respiratory particles, which is how Covid-19 typically spreads. At this point, it’s critical to maintain a mask mandate in schools. We are at the home stretch of the pandemic, but easing up now can cost us all of our efforts up to this point.
Of course, I would like to return to a normal setting. As a senior, I want this year to be filled with pleasant memories. I want a normal graduation, prom, senior trip. I’m sure all of my classmates can agree with that. However, we can’t let emotions cloud our judgment at such a vital stage in the pandemic.
No matter where you stand on this matter, I strongly urge you to voice your opinions. The Board of Education meeting will be held at Walsh Intermediate School at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16. You can also send your commentary ahead of time via email to BPScomments@branfordschools.org.
Editor's Note: Sushant Kunwar is a senior at Branford High School and one of the editors of The Buzz. The opinions expressed are his own and do not reflect the views of Branford High School or The Branford Buzz.
To read an opposing viewpoint in The Branford Buzz, click here.
