On October 1, Dean of Students Mr. Mike Velez ’00 announced in a school-wide email the return of the visitation policy and the option to unmask in residential spaces. Students can now visit other dorms unmasked, and those in the fourth, fifth, and sixth forms are able to request visitations. However, masks are still required to be worn in all non-residential buildings.
According to Mr. Velez, these changes in campus regulations were made “in consultation with local, state, and federal health and education organizations.” All of Choate’s Covid-19 protocols abide by the executive decisions of Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, who recently extended the school mask mandate to February; Choate’s senior administrators and the Health and Safety Committee will assess community wellness and adjust protocol accordingly.
Indicating a return to normal life on campus, students are excited to regain visitation and unmasking privileges after a year and a half of restrictions. Squire Stanley prefect Livia Fingerson ’22 recognized the symbolic meaning of entering each others’ living space, saying that “inviting others into one’s personal space is a gesture of trust, security, and connection.”
With almost every community member vaccinated, the safety behind unmasking in living spaces is well-backed from a medical standpoint. However, Mr. Velez continues to remind everyone to respect the different levels of comfort surrounding unmasking. In the school-wide email, he called for everyone to “be mindful of how you behave and interact in these settings by putting respect for others at the forefront of your actions.”
Living with masks for over a year, some people may regard unmasking as a drastic change. Fingerson found not needing to be masked in dorms overwhelming “simply because it is so out of the ordinary.” Nevertheless, she feels safe to do so considering Choate’s regimented health and safety protocols.
Although Covid-19 restrictions have been loosened, the School continues to ensure and prioritize the safety of all members in the community. According to Head of Archbold House Ms. Rachel Kesler, the School has also been keeping faculty and staff members safe by discouraging the company of unvaccinated or immunocompromised families. Mr. Velez mentioned how the close communication between the administration, faculty, and staff allows Choate to be aware of pending policies, hence enhancing transparency and accountability.
Though an entirely mask-free campus is not anticipated in the near future, the recent ease in protocol trends in that direction. “Choate’s unique situation as a boarding community with a 99.4% vaccination rate might allow us to foresee some future changes,” Ms. Kesler said. “Given the current circumstances, we are doing the best we can.”
