By Zac Fuller
Some UAB students feel safe with the university’s masking policy change, whereas others have reservations about taking their masks off while COVID-19 is still present in the population.
The university announced on March 4 that mask-wearing would no longer be required in non-clinical buildings. The announcement cited the shift in Jefferson County case numbers to a “mask-optional range” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the “dramatic decrease in active COVID cases” at UAB Hospital. The mask-optional policy came less than a week after the university sent out a message stating that they were looking into their indoor masking policy and that changes could be coming “as early as next week.”
“My main reaction was excitement, but then I got a little worried that cases may spike up again,” said Mallory Carroll, a sophomore majoring in sports communications.
Carroll said she feels that masking is helpful but added that she would only feel the need to wear one if she felt sick or if she was interacting with someone who wanted her to wear a mask. “If I asked them if they felt comfortable and they said ‘no,’ then yes, I would put the mask back on,” Carroll said.
JR Hazelwood, a junior majoring in finance, said he would only put the mask back on if he was in close contact with someone who was coughing uncontrollably. He added, however, that he doesn’t feel that the masks do very much. He was relieved to hear about the policy change.
“I like seeing people’s faces. I feel like it’s more genuine interaction with people if you don’t have a mask covering them up,” said Hazelwood.
Other students, such as Bethany Hogeland, a first-semester nursing student, voiced confidence in not wearing masks. She was excited to hear about the announcement and plans to only wear a mask in her clinical settings provided that cases stay at a lower level. She has to follow stricter rules during her studies, which she says give her a better understanding of why people want to continue wearing a mask.
“We are right there in the action. I feel like I have had more of a deeper insight into it, so I understand why there is a hesitancy … and I think that it’s reasonable,” said Hogeland.
Nicholas Ibanez, a junior majoring in kinesiology, said he had mixed emotions about the announcement’s timing. He worries that spring break might result in a reversal of the policy. He feels comfortable taking the mask off in smaller classes but thinks it is important to wear one in larger settings, as he is a commuter student and does not want to bring the virus back home.
“I have a family at home I have to look out for too,” said Ibanez.
Branden Givan, a senior majoring in kinesiology, also shares these concerns and was skeptical of the policy change. He said he wears a mask at all times on campus except for when exercising at the gym. He added that he only feels comfortable taking it off when around family and friends.
“I know for a fact that COVID is still out there. You never know who might have it,” said Givan.
Bshair Mobarki, a freshman majoring in public health, said she was indifferent to the policy change, as the rule does not affect whether she will wear a mask. She said she is scared for her health and does not plan to take the mask off until COVID-19 is gone. Mobarki added that she holds nothing against people who don’t do the same.
“If there is no virus, then, of course, I will take off the mask immediately,” said Mobarki.”But only if I am sure that there is no virus,”
