On Monday, almost exactly two years after leaving campus for virtual school, and nearly a year after coming back to in-person instruction, Westview students were given the option to remove their masks. Things are returning to a pre-Covid “normal,” as case numbers drastically drop from what they were at the beginning of the year. We saw 185 school-based COVID-19 cases in January, 18 in February, and only six as of March 15. The Nexus is glad to see that we are taking a justifiable step in the direction of leaving the pandemic in the past, but we acknowledge that, for many people on our campus, life with the fear of COVID-19 is simply not something that can be forgotten any time soon.

Over this past week, it has been refreshing to see the faces of our classmates and teachers. The ending of the mask mandate is a beacon of hope, and a reminder that we are constantly moving towards the finish line. Masks had become such a constant in our lives that for many of us, it was easy to forget they were even there, but had we seen a school full of masked students two years ago, it would have been quite shocking.

Despite that, it is important that we all continue to keep a mask with us at school. Even with case numbers dropping, there is the very real risk of a spike now that we are no longer required to wear masks, which is something to be wary of, especially in these few weeks immediately following the lifting of the mandate. By easing into the “old” new normal, we are helping to ensure that any improvements are sustainable, and permanent.

And aside from the risk of a spike, some students and teachers on campus are simply uncomfortable removing their masks at this point in time, and regardless of whether your individual preference is to wear one or not, as members of the Westview community, it is our responsibility to respect that. It’s a matter of human decency. If the people around you are wearing masks and indicate that they would feel more comfortable if you did as well, put the mask on. Even if they don’t verbally communicate that to you, if you get the sense that they are uneasy about being near someone who is unmasked, put the mask on. And if your teacher communicates to the class that they would prefer that students continue to mask around them, put the mask on. Demonstrating respect in the form of wearing a mask is not a difficult task, and you truly never know what is going on in the lives of those around you. Let’s be considerate and kind to one another. Maybe the students around us are immunocompromised or have a family member who is. Maybe they frequently come into contact with an elderly parent or grandparent. Maybe they simply don’t want to risk getting sick for fear of missing out on school or sports. Whatever the case may be, it is important that we keep in mind that, while many of us celebrate the lifting of the mandate, some are now fearful of coming to school. As friends and classmates it is our job to help ease that worry.

The Nexus is cautiously optimistic about what the future may bring in terms of a Covid-free future high school experience. We are slowly but surely inching closer to traditional rallies, indoor dances, and sharing snacks. Stay classy, and stay considerate.