Insight into the updated mask mandate
Clarification on the new pending mask mandate
JENNY HAN / THE USD VISTA
A few days before the end of spring break, the COVID-19 Action Team sent an email titled “Pending Update to COVID-19 Testing and Face Coverings Requirements” to the USD community. In said email, they announced in a pending update that although they would continue to enforce the mask mandate, they could be loosing up some protocols after March 28. One major difference is that masks would only be mandatory in classrooms, labs, libraries, the Student Health Center, trams, and other university vehicles. In addition, after March 28, random COVID-19 testing will end for vaccinated individuals.
USD’s new update follows San Diego County’s updated mask mandate which removed the mask mandate with the exception of public transportation, areas that serve public transportation, healthcare settings, detention facilities, homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers.
Other universities’ (and universities similar to USD) responses to changing mask mandates have varied. At the University of California San Diego (UCSD) and San Diego State University (SDSU) the mask mandate remains in all indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, SDSU requires non-vaccinated students to wear masks outdoors if they are unable to properly socially distance themselves. Chapman University states that masking is only required in university shuttles, Student Health, COVID-19 testing Center, and “certain clinical settings.” With those exceptions, Chapman removed its indoor mask mandate. Loyola Marymount University (LMU) currently is maintaining their mask mandate while they are working to implement a masking policy in line with LA county’s updated health order.
In regards to USD’s pending mask mandate, Ky Synder, a member of the COVID-19 action team and the Vice President and Director of University Operations, provides clarification.
For starters, Snyder stated that the new mask mandate is listed as pending because he acknowledges that changes might need to be made depending on case numbers.
“We are projecting that the positivity rate on campus will continue to decrease as we have seen since the start of the semester. However, previously each time students have returned to campus from a break, we have seen an increase in cases,” Snyder said. “If we see that happen again and the increase is significant, we may have to alter our plan. If not, then we will start to pull back on some of the protocols for campus.”
Snyder also addressed the confusion that surrounded mandating masks in all buildings.
“Students and faculty must enter certain spaces on campus. Instructional delivery spaces such as classrooms, labs and the libraries are among these. Students and faculty must use these spaces to receive and deliver instruction,” Synder said. “As such, we will continue to require face coverings in these spaces. Other spaces on campus that the community wishes to enter are personal choices and they can determine whether they want to use these spaces.”
Even though USD may be loosening up the mask mandate in accordance to San Diego guidelines, Synder explained that the university will still be taking measures to protect the immunocompromised. One such measure is the aforementioned mask mandate in certain locations. Other measures include distributing free KN-95 masks at the front desk at Facilities Management and the use of ventilation systems with a MERV-13 or higher filtration at maximum airflow.
These preventative actions are the key to tackling COVID-19. “With face coverings and the ventilation systems in place, we are able to decrease the risk for the most vulnerable members of our community,” Snyder said.
Ultimately, Synder acknowledges that these protocols are subject to change.
“As we have learned over the course of the pandemic, we must continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as they are needed,” Synder said. “ That may mean a return to previous protocols or a continuation of relaxing some.”
Many USD students are confused by the new mask guidelines, and why the new mandate requires masks in some spaces but not in others.
Sophomore Giuseppe Crivello shares his opinion on the new update.
“I think that if we are allowed to not wear masks in the SLP, then we shouldn’t have to wear a mask anywhere else,” Crevillo said. “In the SLP everyone is in the same ballpark as in a classroom.”
Similarly, sophomore Julia Humphrey agrees that the new mask guidelines seem counterproductive.
“I think it’s a bit silly to have to wear masks in class, but not in the dining hall,” Humphrey said. “I am glad we are still wearing masks in class though, I don’t find it much of an inconvenience.”
The USD Vista will keep providing updates as needed to all things COVID-19.