When I first heard of the judge’s ruling granting a temporary ban on mask requirements in schools, I felt relieved. I thought this was one important step towards moving past this two-year pandemic. I was so excited to not wear a mask and see my friends’ faces in school. I thought maybe I would see a couple of teachers too without them on. 

Flashback to March 13, 2020. I remember the panic at the end of the day. Students were rushing to meet with teachers and going to their lockers to shove everything into backpacks. 

During all the rush, a senior joked if it would be her last day in the building as a senior. My heart sank. And indeed, her joke became reality.  Personally, it felt like an alarm of fear went off. 

Fast forward to the present, this lengthy pandemic has led to many struggles. For me, as well as many others, one challenge has been wearing a mask. 

As someone who suffers from asthma, I am classified as one who is more vulnerable to severe disease from COVID-19. Other than my underlying health condition, I am in very good health. The risk of severe COVID-19 has always been low for healthy children as well.

The CDC data shows 970 total pediatric deaths related to COVID-19. This number is less than 0.001% of the total COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. In addition, this number doesn’t clarify whether these deaths were “from COVID-19” or “with COVID-19”. Many, if not most, of these children suffered from an underlying health condition. 

Before the judge’s ruling, I noticed that wearing a mask was negatively affecting the way I learned, as well as, my social and emotional well-being. Wearing a mask inhibits the ability for verbal and non-verbal communication between my peers and teachers. 

Not being able to properly recognize the faces of teachers and students was very hard, especially at the beginning of the school year. It was so hard not being able to identify the facial expressions and reactions of everyone around. Visualization is so important for development, especially educational development. 

When the judge ruled Feb. 4, I clearly remember the feeling of joy. The Sunday night before walking into a mask-optional building, I was so eager and excited to go to school. 

Walking into the building for the first time without a mask felt like freedom. It felt like some normalcy was back. Although I respect everyone’s personal mask-wearing decisions, I felt at ease with my personal decision. 

Regardless of everyone’s vaccination status, I feel more than comfortable without a mask. I understand those who feel uncomfortable or at higher risk, but they still have the option to wear a mask. 

Throughout Europe, schools have remained open without requiring masks. In the U.S., schools have been open, with and without mask mandates. 

Some experts continue to question masking in schools. Several studies show wearing masks has a minimal reduction in COVID-19 transmission, but these results are statistically insignificant. These studies don’t take into account the COVID vaccinations in adults and children.

In Colorado, the governor has announced its plan for an endemic shift. Colorado isn’t the only place changing its policies; globally policies are changing as well. Britain has lifted all COVID-19 restrictions. Spain has announced for their citizens to treat the virus like it’s the flu.

In Las Vegas, elementary students share the same feelings I have as they cheered in Las Vegas celebrated the end of wearing face masks in school.

In Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker lifted indoor mask mandates, with the exemption of schools, on Feb. 28. 

After reviewing the D115 COVID Dashboard, there have been no major outbreaks of COVID-19 cases after going mask optional. This is something to keep an eye on, especially with the warmer weather among us, and to recognize the upcoming trends of cases.