By Alexandria Gardner ‘23/NDA Publications
This week, for only the second time since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020, Notre Dame Academy students were not required to wear masks in the building.
With only two new Covid cases at NDA in the past week and cases on the decline in the community, NDA has moved to a masks-recommended policy rather than masks required. (NDA community members may be required to wear a mask in the event of testing positive for or being exposed to Covid-19.)
Masks were also optional for four days in November, but when cases in the community spiked, NDA returned to mandatory masks the following week.
Publications students asked students and staff how they felt about the updated guidance.
“I respect people’s decisions on whether or not they’d like to wear a mask,” senior Erin Stegman said, “and I hope people can respect my decisions on whether or not I’d like to wear a mask.”
Sophomore Sammie Poulos said not wearing a mask “makes it easier to talk to people and it makes the school feel more normal.”
Senior Jillian Martin said she liked the new policy “because I really enjoy people’s smiles, it makes the class feel more social, and we are talking to each other more. I didn’t know what some of my teachers looked like without their masks, so it is nice to see their full faces.”
Mrs. Erin Stanley, an NDA counselor, added. “I love seeing everyone’s faces, but I still understand if people are being cautious, so I am being mindful about people wearing masks. When I see them wearing one, I will wear one.”
Some students, like senior Kate McBride and sophomore Anna Neubacher, said they would continue wearing masks at school to help ensure the well-being of family members. “My grandpa recently had a high-risk surgery, and I want to keep him safe and healthy,” Anna said.
Many took the new policy as a sign of progress
“I’m so excited to get things back to normal and have a great high school experience under typical circumstances,” freshman Natalie Collins said.
Said junior Adele France: “I’ve been at NDA for three years ,and have only seen some of my classmates’ faces for just over half a year. I like walking past people in the hallway and being able to see them laughing with their friends.”
Publications classes conducted interviews for this story.