Oakdale starts off the year with masks being optional to students and staff. After many long months of wearing masks to school, students now have the option to wear the masks whenever they see fit. However, even though the mask mandate has been lifted, there is still a possibility of contracting the virus. 

Ever since FCPS lifted the mask mandate, many students slowly started losing the masks while others decided to keep wearing them. Reeve’s Aide, a junior at Oakdale High School, expresses, “I feel more comfortable wearing a mask to keep myself and others safe.” 

On the other hand, Gabby Norfolk, a senior at Oakdale High School, says that she doesn’t wear a mask: “I technically prefer to not wear a mask but if that is what I need to do then I will do so.”

Norfolk continues, “I think it’s great that Oakdale has made it an option because right now we are in the safe zone and there are no high rise. If there was, then I have that faith that Oakdale would make it mandatory or I have the faith in the students that we will wear masks and try to help other people.” 

After two years of wearing masks, many students have mixed feelings about wearing masks in public. While some hated wearing the masks, others wear them to feel comfortable or protect the people around them. 

Aide shares, “I wear a mask because I live with my grandma and I don’t want to put her at risk. I feel safer behind the mask.” He also adds that he has lost loved ones due to the virus.

To make Oakdale a safe place to learn, we should all take precautionary measures. Both students, Aide and Norfolk, agree to have students take precautions if they are experiencing any symptoms. Aide voiced, “They should make sure we are still sanitizing areas of the school and encourage proper hygiene.” 

From the impact Covid has had on us, we are still trying to adjust back into normal living situations. There were many restrictions on social distancing and how it made us less communicative. Norfolk mentions how covid made it hard to socialize, she states, “…I started getting anxious talking to people.” 

Even though the mask mandate is lifted, it is still important to respect others’ decisions. This is key to creating a safe community at Oakdale, and may even be a contributing factor to keeping cases at a low level.