Kaila Acbay, ’22

The Catalyst (TC): What was your initial reaction to the masking guidelines?

Kaila Acbay (KA): I was a little surprised because I know that Omicron is still happening, but I feel like it’s a good direction. I think it’s good to know that we’re maybe near the end of COVID.

TC: Why do you choose to wear a mask or not wear a mask?

KA: I wear a mask because, honestly, I just feel like it’s safer. And also, I just feel more comfortable with it after wearing it for a few years, and I think it’ll take a little getting used to, like, not wearing masks. It’s more for comfortability. 

TC: What do you think of people who think differently from you?

KA: I don’t have an opinion on who wears a mask and who doesn’t. It’s more for comfortability for them. I don’t agree with people who are very judgemental to people who don’t wear masks or who choose to wear masks.

TC: Do you think dropping masks in schools was the best decision for the state to make?

KA: In all honesty, I feel like us as a state and just a school in general, I don’t think we’re really that ready to drop it yet

TC: Do you think that there should be an online option for community members that are not comfortable with these masking guidelines?

KA: I feel like an online option should be for people who do actually have COVID or who cannot come in if they’re immunocompromised, but for people who just choose not to come in, I believe that there’s always better safety precautions rather than just choosing to not come in because you don’t want to.