Eddy's Moral High Ground
Edward Calkins '22 Editor-in-Chief
Masks have become a daily staple added to our wallet and keys. Students may not say it outright all the time, but I will: They are a necessity. The majority of students use the word “annoying” to describe masking in schools. While annoying is an appropriate adjective, it is dull compared to how routine masks have become. My initial realization was that most of us look forward to the 30-minute lunch period where we don’t have to wear a mask and can breathe normally. When I first asked for opinions on masks, senior Vasudev Joshi jumped up and exclaimed “swagging.” I don’t know what was in his lunch, but I like the creativeness. A popular question arises when students can become creative in what they do with masks. Some think it’s easier to stick their tongue out at others. I would advise against that because unless your mask is cookies & cream flavored, it probably won’t taste that good. I even walked past a group of students talking about how they think masks should “be put in a cinder block cellar because they aren’t attractive enough.” Numerous times I’ve heard students exclaim, “Oh [expletive], I need to put this thing on or I will get in trouble.” Let me make one thing very clear: It's not about getting in trouble; it's about protecting the people around you.
In gym class, masks have made it extremely difficult to breathe. I’ve noticed that many do not wear their masks correctly. However, I will agree it is a daunting task to keep your mask above your nose while running in the gym. Sofia Delrosso-Freeman says that she has a “hard time breathing while going up the stairs” and can’t even imagine what it’s like in gym class. Even I’ll admit that when I’m shooting hoops my mask has dropped below my nose. But as soon as my three-pointer completely misses the backboard, I make sure to fix it. Others have some trouble doing this. They complain about it every ten seconds. Some even like to keep their masks nice and warm in their pockets. This has led to several warnings including a strongly-worded announcement to our class outlining the consequences of the “directive” and that “rules are rules.” There are even some students that prefer to have gym class outside in the 95 degree weather just so that they don’t have to wear their masks.
A number of teachers have told me that they have to tell students to pull up their masks countless times a day. Most of the student population is compliant with masking, but I’ve seen a couple of instances where students fail to comply. Some have even escalated to other staff members getting involved and using forceful language to the student, who appears to be more interested in the white cinderblock wall in front of them. Obviously masks are not fun, but they give us an opportunity to come to school each day and do what high schoolers do best: showcase our uniqueness. To paraphrase our governor, “Wear your [darn] mask.”
In gym class, masks have made it extremely difficult to breathe. I’ve noticed that many do not wear their masks correctly. However, I will agree it is a daunting task to keep your mask above your nose while running in the gym. Sofia Delrosso-Freeman says that she has a “hard time breathing while going up the stairs” and can’t even imagine what it’s like in gym class. Even I’ll admit that when I’m shooting hoops my mask has dropped below my nose. But as soon as my three-pointer completely misses the backboard, I make sure to fix it. Others have some trouble doing this. They complain about it every ten seconds. Some even like to keep their masks nice and warm in their pockets. This has led to several warnings including a strongly-worded announcement to our class outlining the consequences of the “directive” and that “rules are rules.” There are even some students that prefer to have gym class outside in the 95 degree weather just so that they don’t have to wear their masks.
A number of teachers have told me that they have to tell students to pull up their masks countless times a day. Most of the student population is compliant with masking, but I’ve seen a couple of instances where students fail to comply. Some have even escalated to other staff members getting involved and using forceful language to the student, who appears to be more interested in the white cinderblock wall in front of them. Obviously masks are not fun, but they give us an opportunity to come to school each day and do what high schoolers do best: showcase our uniqueness. To paraphrase our governor, “Wear your [darn] mask.”