Now, this is a time when the world is recovering from COVID 19 and now they are leaving masks, Universities begin their academic year with no masks in D.C. too. But GW was one of the different tracks, they are still following the rule of Compulsory masks!
Though for indoor spaces masks are not compulsory by officials’ declaration still it is mandatory in instructional settings.
Now as the cases of COVID is falling so it is necessary to make mask optional.
GW hasn't updated its mask policy since September, despite the pandemic entering its third year with dwindling nationwide support for measures such as universal masking and social distancing. After that, DC averaged about 79 cases per week per 100,000 people. Positive COVID cases are low in GW and across the district, and a mandatory masking policy within classrooms is proving to be an age-old safety measure.
The policy on masks is different in the university and schools. Georgetown then gives some relaxation to masking policies after the semester's lowest COVID positivity rate in May. Now that America has 98% of vaccination and it is time for the United States when they can review its policies and give some loose in hard mandatory mask policies. Though President Biden announced that they are going to end the COVID emergency of the nation in the upcoming month.
But on another side, it is a fact that GW has a low COVID rate because they are not testing for it since July of last year. Fewer people are testing, and those who do test already have COVID symptoms.
There has been no significant increase in COVID cases, and the positivity rate remains low compared to the figures. After months of masking requirements on campus from September to January.
Masking not being required in residence halls like the 820-person Thurston Hall or at events like basketball games and school performances, tight, crowded spaces are more likely to be COVID hotspots than a 20-person Spanish class. GW never made any argument on this.
GW needs to insist its students get vaccinated as many other universities like Howard and Georgetown, had done. Only about one percent of the student body is exempt from the GW requirement for religious or medical reasons, suggesting that most students and faculty will have a built-in level of protection against COVID.
GW's high vaccination levels should signal a future without masks in classrooms.
Students have been troubled by masks in classroom settings since the beginning of the fall semester. Professors have also become worried about the implementation of no mask. Students and teachers are wanting a no-mask policy but the current situation is not giving them space for it!
GW should wait for some time and observe that if they find some or many increments in the rate of COVID cases then they should make the mask compulsory for some more time. This cannot throw out of the university for permanently as the wave of COVID is hitting consistently.
In adapting to the changing pandemic culture and a new normal, GW finds itself in DC needing to update its masking policy to keep pace with other universities across the country.
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