Audrey Carr, Arts & Tech Editor
@audreyccourant
On February 7th, Governor Ned Lamont removed the statewide school mask mandate. The uptick in mask debates in Board of Education meetings has skyrocketed and has promoted students such as Eva Campbell and Aine Stevens to share their opinions at meetings.
On January 24th Eva Campbell shared her views against mask mandates at a Board of Education meeting. She was published in the New Canaan Advertiser, shortly after, she was given the opportunity to speak on News 12. “It is a topic that is overlooked because we are so used to wearing masks at school,” Eva said. “The parents at the board meeting were talking about the things their kids in elementary school are going through, so I felt like I needed to address what high school students are going through negatively, both physically and mentally.”
Eva believes that by going into hybrid learning last school year, we were following science. She puts an emphasis on why she believes we need to continue with this. According to the CDC, The effectiveness of cloth masks is generally lower than medical masks. However, if designed and worn correctly, cloth masks may provide some protection. “If we, as a school system, are following and trusting the CDC then we should be updating our rules because right now we are not following science. That’s what made me speak up,” Eva said.
“Darien’s Board of Education wrote a letter to Governor Lamont and after New Cannan did not write a letter, Dr. Luizzi needs to be advocating for what we think is right,” Eva said. In response, on January 28th, Superintendent Bryan Luizzi sent an email to the community explaining what the Board of Education is currently doing and their future plans. The Board of Education is able to hold a community forum and write a letter to Governor Lamont seeking local control.
Eva recognizes those who are worried about the new implications. “If you want to wear a mask, then you can wear a mask. no one is stopping you, and you have the right.”
According to Dr. Luizzi’s email sent to the school system on February 9th, thanks to our declining case rate, implementation of mitigation strategies, and high vaccination rates, The New Canaan Public Schools are planning to go mask optional on February 28th.
On the other hand, Aine sees the need to continue to wear masks. She is on a rigorous schedule to keep herself healthy on a day-to-day basis. “I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when I was eighteen months old, and It affects my everyday life. I take 42 pills a day, three breathing medications, two hours of chest therapy,” she said.
Aine sees the benefits of wearing masks because of her experience being immunocompromised. “Masks have always been a normalcy in my life,” she said. “I used to wear them all the time, ever since I went to middle school because my lung function was declining. Masks helped protect me from getting infections,” she said.
She highlights the dangers of those with underlying health conditions including her personally. “If I were to get COVID I would die,” She said. “I am on a miracle drug right now. If I were to get COVID I would have to get off the miracle drug, my lung function would go from where it is at 100 right now to 70 within a day. It’s just very scary,” Aine said.
In preparation for the January 31st Board of Education meeting Aine spoke at, her family knew many people were going to speak against masks. “I looked at my parents and said I should do what I think because masks are something that directly affects me and it’s going to be more meaningful if it comes from a student rather than an adult,” she said.
Aine hopes people who know immunocompromised people will take extra precaution by wearing masks. “Everyone has someone who is greatly affected by COVID and wearing your mask and washing your hands is going to make a difference, even through the cold and flu season,” Aine said.
