Graphic by Brian Yip ’24 / The Choate News
After almost two years of vigilant mask-wearing, Choate’s indoor mask mandate has finally been lifted. Although the change was implemented only two weeks ago, there has already been an immense change in the energy on campus; students have been more outspoken, friendlier to peers, and able to connect with teachers more easily. Though this change has offered its own set of challenges, we have ultimately been able to grow closer as a community.
The most substantial effect that mask-wearing had on us all was a lack of facial connection and recognition. Since masks hide most of your face, the majority of our features are hidden, hindering our ability to effectively interact with and react to those around us. Even though the eyes are often described as “windows to the soul,” I think we can all agree that our eyes aren’t always reflective of our emotions. Similar to how the most compelling and interesting parts of a book don’t translate while only reading the SparkNotes summary, I’m now noticing new facets, emotions, and aspects of my classmates due to finally seeing them with their masks off. From the occasional smirk, to the giggle after hearing a decently funny joke, everything seems brighter and friendlier.
Everything also seems more sincere; the School seems more like a community. Part of the reason I left my old school was a lack of school spirit: nobody went to games, cheered on their classmates, or participated in spirit days. Coming to Choate, my experience has been quite the opposite. I have always been taken aback by the loud cheers at games and the number of people that truly care about the betterment of the School. Still, I felt something was missing. The only thing I can remotely compare it to is the feeling of not being able to find the right word when speaking. I realize now that the missing element was the parts of each other that we couldn’t see or understand because they were hidden under our masks — the singing along to the school song at the end of school meetings or the huge smile you’d get after you watched your teammate score a goal. Though a bit hard to explain, there is a drastic difference between then and now.
Mirroring is the subconscious imitation of facial expressions, gestures, and other aspects of speech and nonverbal behavior. This was not possible while we were all masked, but now that we can see each other’s full faces, everyone seems much more connected and approachable. In my physics class, for example, there were typically many completely wiped out students who, understandably, could be seen with their heads on their desks. With masks on, an element of human connection was lost, and with that, went a certain level of respect. Now, without masks, people seem more inclined to collaborate and be attentive. It also doesn’t hurt that my teacher never fails to bring enthusiasm and energy to the class, ultimately turning a difficult subject into one students appreciate.
Though the lack of masks has allowed us to bond as a community, this new age of Choate life does have a few setbacks. While wearing a mask, it’s almost as though I have a second filter. Though some of my peers may be surprised reading this, I was known for interjecting and speaking without thinking at my old school. Wearing masks gave me a chance to listen more than speak. Now that I don’t have that second filter to rely on, I find it more difficult to restrain myself from reverting back to my old interruptive habits.
Finally, after having worn masks for so long, my face feels barren without one. Wearing a mask in school for the past two years has grown into somewhat of a comfort for me, and, after a certain point, I didn’t even think of it as abnormal anymore. So, not only do my tablemates see the strange facial expressions I make all the time, they also hear me muttering to myself about the most random of things.
The concept that masking is now so normalized in our world is interesting to consider, and it’s one that I don’t think will ever completely go away. Especially at Choate, we all have a mutual understanding that wearing, or not wearing, a mask is a personal choice that shouldn’t be judged. It’s definitely a major change that I believe most of us never thought would come, and one that many have welcomed with open arms. In some ways, this change back to a maskless world resembles the unfamiliarity a masked world once brought to us all. With different flare-ups and variants of the virus, it’s unclear whether pandemic life will last forever. However, lifting the mask-mandate is a positive assurance that we are moving into a more connected world.
