Graphic by Chloe Jacobs ’23
It’s been nearly two years since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and if there’s one thing that’s proved to be difficult for a lot of Americans it’s wearing their masks. Although the majority of the Choate population is fully vaccinated, 15 positive cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the weeks since we’ve come back from Thanksgiving break. In the face of a highly infectious and contagious virus, it is crucial to take precautions to control what we can: washing hands, social distancing, and, most important, wearing masks properly.
We are so used to wearing masks that it has become second nature for many. But we’ve seen the results of a creeping indifference across campus, with masks slipping under the noses (or even under the chins) of many students as they walk through the SAC or sit in classrooms. But proper mask-wearing, especially in the face of the new Omicron variant, should be anything but casual. That is to say, masks should fit securely over the nose, over the mouth, and tightly around the face.
Many members of the Choate community are fortunate enough to be able-bodied and healthy. However, because of a lack of proper mask-wearing, we are not only putting vulnerable community members in danger, but also their roommates, families, neighbors, and friends. Especially as a boarding school with a significant day student population, it’s important to recognize that not wearing your mask could lead to an infection spreading to and from communities outside of the Choate campus.
According to the New York Times, for every 600 people who wear a mask in public spaces, one death from Covid-19 is prevented. But for this to happen, 600 people need to equally contribute to wearing their masks and wearing them correctly. I believe that we, as a community, can do such a simple, altruistic task by looking past our own minor inconveniences for the greater good of our community.
As stated in Choate’s Statement of Character, “the personal commitment to moral sensibility … [is] an integral part of who a person is.” Proper mask-wearing is a selfless gesture — one that’s frustrating at times, but one that we all must do to protect our peers, teachers, and community.
