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Episode Transcript
Speaker 0 00:00:00 Last Thursday, Northwestern students received an email from university vice president for operations, Luke. Fugo about the relaxing of masking requirements starting today, February 28th. This change coincides with governor JB Pritzker's decision to end the Illinois mandate in most indoor facilities, including bars, restaurants, gyms, and stores. Proof of vaccination is also not required at these locations. According to officials, notably, however, the mask mandate will still be in place at Chicago public schools. Along with healthcare settings, long-term care facilities, congregant, living facilities, public transportation, and airports. Any other additional requirements will be at the discre of private institutions. And all of these decisions are based on recommendations from the CDC, as it pertains to Northwestern. The EMA from Piora reads quote masking will be optional in university administrative spaces, research labs, public spaces, public events, athletic facilities, and non-classroom communal spaces. Masks will remain a requirement in classrooms, lab-based classes and other spaces where instruction takes place. At least through March 19th, symptom track will also no longer be required to enter dining areas, gyms, and other locations. And to learn more about how university members feel about this change. I spoke to three students with different perspectives on the new evolution of the masking requirement. First is RT VF Jr. From California Elizabeth Davis.
Speaker 1 00:01:28 I saw the email, I think that like wearing masks doesn't impact my life at all, and that it doesn't bother me to do so. So, so as such for me, I'm willing to wear it. If it means that we're like preventing SP writing COVID and preventing deaths and things like that, it doesn't bother me, but I don't know. Yeah, I guess I don't see the need to end the mask mandate, but I guess I'm not angry about it.
Speaker 0 00:01:55 The updated requirements also pose specific challenges to film students who have the additional caveat of being in close proximity to each other while being on it.
Speaker 1 00:02:04 I met with my producers that like two hours after we got the email that said that it was gonna be that we wouldn't have to, theoretically, I'm not sure how much masks actually help in terms of being on set. But I think that when we're all in one small space, it makes sense. And they also have pretty stringent, um, testing rules. You have to get tested 24 hours before you're on set
Speaker 0 00:02:27 Another R T VF student who preferred to stay anonymous. Also wait in on the requirements on set
Speaker 2 00:02:33 For now. I will definitely ask people to do wear masks, cuz I feel like this is just more responsible for the whole community. Like everybody is sign up, not to get COVID. However,
Speaker 0 00:02:46 The students interviewed, felt comfortable with the university's decision and that it was a logical next step in moving towards a new normal. This includes Kave Superman, a freshman from San Francisco who explained his experience with the requirements as a new student,
Speaker 3 00:03:01 I would say I'm leaning towards in support of it. But I also realize like the whole, all of the like politics surrounding it and what it means to be supportive of alleviating mask mandates. But I think in this case that it seems right. And I don't think that, uh, relaxing mask mandates in libraries or like residential areas is necessarily gonna have that much of an effect on COVID cases.
Speaker 2 00:03:30 If the school policy says that I'm pretty comfortable with that, cuz to some extent, life has to go on and we've been wearing mask for two years and it just, it feels tiring.
Speaker 0 00:03:46 But when asked students have different opinions on whether they'd personally wear masks where it isn't required,
Speaker 1 00:03:52 When it comes to like bigger public spaces, I think it's more of like a, I'm gonna wear a mask because I'll feel on uncomfortable so that like if I'm sitting in Norris all day long, I'll probably be wearing a mask for most of it. But I don't know if I am concerned about the school's decision.
Speaker 3 00:04:10 I probably in libraries won't be wearing a mask while I'm studying anymore. If I think that I have, if I've been in contact with someone with COVID, I'll probably abstain from going to libraries or if I do go to libraries, definitely wearing a mask, but in general, probably not.
Speaker 2 00:04:27 I will still wear masks, but I just, I don't feel anything about the school policy, but I read the email and it says, if you feel uncomfortable, you can wear a mask. So I guess for now I was said I will wear a mask.
Speaker 0 00:04:42 But for now the most important thing is to make sure you stay safe. Experts still recommend wearing masks while in crowded indoor areas and getting tested for COVID 19 regularly for w N R news. I'm Trevor Dugin.
