Masked, Unmasked: Students Weigh In

By Jeannie Eom

In the span of just a few months, wearing masks and social distancing have become the new normal. The Exonian took a look at how necessary mask-wearing has changed how students engage with one another.

From a public health standpoint, students seemed to unanimously agree that mask-wearing is necessary and in the interest of the community. “I feel really comfortable about wearing masks because it can [reduce the risk] to me that I don’t get the virus,” upper Jimmy Wu said. “It’s also a good way to give other people the comfort of safety and know that you’re not the one starting [a transmission chain] if you are the one with the sickness.”

As the flu season draws near, the wearing of masks may be doubly useful. “I think, from a human health standpoint, masks are great,” upper Garrett Paik said. “It will prevent people from spreading common flu or the cold, not just the coronavirus.” 

“Having lived through the pandemic since March, most of us have gotten pretty used to wearing masks on a daily basis,” senior Keara Polovick added. 

Although wearing masks has become its own custom, keeping up with the guideline on-campus has been a little challenging for Polovick. “During the day, it is not too bad, especially since we are in our rooms during a portion of the day doing classes online,” she said. “However, I do find playing sports or doing active activities make it a little tougher.” 

As athletes begin official training this week, some have found mask-wearing to be unexpectedly difficult. “I would say it gets pretty difficult for cross country because we have to run with the masks on, and it gets pretty hot during the day,” Paik said. Though Paik does not typically mind wearing masks on a daily basis as the weather remains dry and cold, running does bring a different experience. 

A word of advice from Paik: “You have to make sure to brush your teeth often.”

Though wearing masks is a strict rule on campus, some have found it to be just a tad annoying. “Once my mask is on, it’s a little annoying, but it’s fine. If anything, it’s putting on the mask when I’m leaving the room,” upper Jacob David noted. 

While David does not participate in high-intensity sports, there are other difficulties that come with wearing masks. “From a distance, I may think someone is one person, and it ends up not being that person,” David said. 

Though the situation is not a big deal to David, he stressed that things can become a little awkward. “Some people try to elbow bump me now, and it’s just really awkward. I don’t know who started elbow bumping people on campus but waving is fine for me,” he said. Now, David mostly waves at those he sees on the path.

Social interactions like this have been an obstacle for many students, albeit to varying degrees. “It’s hard not being able to see peoples’ whole faces, especially because I usually greet people by smiling. You have to be more intentional with your greetings now,” Polovick said. 

This dilemma is amplified when students meet teachers they have not seen before. “I definitely think having teachers I haven’t had before on Zoom for the first time in the spring, and now in the fall, I don’t feel as if I’m having as strong a connection with them,” Polovick said. “In class, I would talk with them, but since I only see my teacher online, when I see them in person [wearing a mask], I don’t recognize them that well.”

Wu shared this newfound challenge. “If they’re wearing a mask and they’re far away from me, it’s quite hard to recognize them,” he said. “While six feet is not a big problem, you always have to come face to face to interact with people.” 

Wu finds that wearing masks on campus is not a significant annoyance, though, within dorms, it can get to be a little more work. “It becomes bothersome at times [in the dorm], especially when we go to the bathrooms or in the hallways,” he said. As a consequence of that, Wu said: “I would say that I try to stay indoors more often due to the new circumstances.” This habit is also shared by David, as the effort often becomes a hindrance. “I would choose not to go fill my water bottle up if I have to put on my mask,” David said, offering an example. 

However, wearing masks is far from a problem for most. “Honestly, it’s not that bad, most of the time I don’t notice it,” senior Veronica Choulga said. “Sometimes I do when it gets a little too hot or [I] have glasses on, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I’m usually too busy or distracted to notice, so it’s not a huge burden.” 

The mask-wearing guideline has even become an opportunity for Choulga. “I always admired the fashion behind masks,” she said. “I remember, a year or two ago, I was quite jealous that it wasn’t really common practice to wear masks in the U.S. as it was in Asian countries, so in a way, I’m kind of glad because it opens up more areas for fashion and different ways of expression.” 

Paik is also a fan of fashionable masks. “I got this one fashionable mask for twenty bucks from this really small studio in New York City called ‘Friend of a Friend’ studio,” he said. “They make some really cool stuff. Mine is this custom denim mask lined with blue, and it’s really cool.” Despite having the option to wear it out, Paik does not wear it often as disposable masks make the effort just a little easier. 

“I do have to say, I’m going through an insane number of masks,” he said. 

The pandemic has also led to some mask innovations. “Now, they’re making it so that it’s easier to breathe through, while being relatively safe,” Paik said.

As students adjust to the new normal on campus, they are finding new ways to interact within the guidelines. “People started doing elbow taps and virtual hugs, where people pretend to do things in the air,” Wu said “It’s quite awkward actually.” Still, Exonians are exploring new ways to connect, all while keeping themselves and each other safe with their public mask-wearing.