OPINION: Branford Should Remove the Mask Mandate

By Tyler Jarvis

Last week Gov. Ned Lamont announced that he is in support of ending the state’s mask mandate for public schools.

“Connecticut is seeing a dramatic decline in cases caused by the Omicron variant, and children over the age of 5 have had the ability to get vaccinated for more than three months now. With this in mind, I think we are in a good position to phase out the requirement that masks be worn in all schools statewide and shift the determination on whether to require this to the local level” said Lamont.

Lamont’s statewide mandate ends Feb. 28. After that, the burden is on the local boards of education to decide whether masks must be worn inside schools. The Branford Board of Education has announced that they will be holding a meeting Feb.16 at 6 p.m. in the Walsh Intermediate School Auditorium to hear public comments about whether to adopt a local mandate requiring masks in school after the governer’s state-wide mandate expires. 

Now the question is, should Branford have a mask mandate for its schools? I believe the clear answer is no.

Ending the mask mandate does not prohibit those who are inclined to wear a mask from wearing one. Instead, it simply allows for students to exercise their right to not wear one if they so please.

With only 600 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Connecticut, most of those being hospice patients, and a warm spring soon approaching, it’s time for our district to remove the mask mandate. As of the writing of this article, 93% of eligible Connecticut residents have received at least one dose of the COVID Vaccine, and 77% of eligible residents are ¨Fully vaccinated.” Everyone who wants a vaccine in Connecticut has gotten one.

Masks have also negatively affected children from Preschool to Seniors in High School throughout Branford since the mask mandate was implemented. Some students find wearing masks futile and hurtful to their education.

“Having transferred into the Branford Public School system during the COVID-19 pandemic, I have not been able to see any of my teachers’ faces, which makes my classes and interactions with teaching staff feel impersonal and disconnected,” said Matthew Gaudioso, a member of the high school student council. “Mask-wearing along with other restrictions that make BHS feel isolating rather than an engaging learning environment have all contributed to the inability to adapt to the Branford culture that my peers hope to experience before they are off to college. I hope to experience Branford in all of its glory before I leave next fall.”

As demonstrated by Guadioso, students want the ¨Return to normal¨ that we were promised when we re-entered school last year.

As a senior, I want to be able to attend prom, graduation, senior trip, and sporting events, being able to see my classmates’ and teachers’ faces for the last time before we go our separate ways.

When it comes time for our class reunion in 20 years, I want to be able to recognize my classmates and reminisce on our triumph over COVID and the memories we made during our normal last few months. Anxiety over COVID has dominated us over the past two years; it’s time that we finally return to normal and make the most out of our last couple of months.

Thirty-seven out of the fifty states in the union have already lifted mask mandates in public schools, it’s time for Connecticut to join them.

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, February 16. You can also send your commentary ahead of time via email to BPScomments@branfordschools.org. 

Editor's Note: Tyler Jarvis is a senior at Branford High School. 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.