Rick Bond, parent

The Catalyst Interviewed Rick Bond, an NDB parent about his thoughts on the lifting of the mask mandate. 

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

Rick Bond (RB): I felt like it was time because so many people have been vaccinated and developed antibodies. So, I felt like things had progressed to the point where it was time to start doing that. I was also a little nervous that people would just stop wearing masks, and distancing, and sanitizing their hands. That they would just throw it all away and people would start getting sick. 

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

RB: For other people. I never heard a better plan for curving the spread of COVID-19 to other people besides wearing a mask. I was never concerned about myself, it was all for other people. 

TC: What do you think of people who think differently from you: Those that are or are not wearing a mask?

RB: I’m open to hearing what other people think and their perspectives. However, again, I have never heard one argument on how not wearing a mask helps stop the spread of COVID-19 to other people. 

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

RB: I think it’s the best decision if we truly believe the risk of transmission is significantly lower than before. However, the fact that workers in many places still wear their masks makes me think that somebody is telling them other statistics. So, I don’t know which one is right. 

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

RB: Yes, for sure. Especially because remote learning was already built, you know? It’s not like we need to figure out how to do it. 

TC: Do you think the mask optional policy will lead to good or bad consequences?

RB: To me, it all depends on the accuracy of the risk. If we’re truly at lower risk, it shouldn’t lead to anything bad because the risk is low. If the risk is higher than what we’re being told, then dropping the masks is just gonna make things worse.