EU students offer cautious optimism after the indoor mask mandate exits Illinois

On Feb. 28, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the end of the Illinois Mask Mandate.

“Across the state, Illinoisans are taking their masks off today, knowing that most eligible adults are boosted and our hospitals have much more capacity to save lives,” said Pritzker in a press release.

“We cannot remain in a perpetual state of emergency,” said Leana Wen, a public health professor at George Washington University in an interview with The Hill. “People burn out.”

Students at Elmhurst University have had mixed responses about the change in policy.

Computer science and religious studies major, Ben Bollinger, offers his full support on the decision.

“I am in favor,” said Bollinger. “I’m very happy about them lifting the mandate. I just think that it’s been long enough.”

Senior political science major, Jacob Cristiansen also agrees with the decision. 

“I think it’s fine. Just because the mandate’s been removed, doesn’t mean you don’t have to wear the mask anymore. You still have that choice too.”

Christiansen believes that although the potential to contract COVID-19 is still out there, people should not stop themselves from going out.

 “I think with all these events opening up, people just have to be ready that there may just probably be a small spike in COVID at first,” said Christiansen. “Just because you’re taking away that natural buffer that we had, but I don’t think that should sway people from having a good time.”

Christiansen advises that, when going out, people should at least take into consideration that the potential to contract COVID-19 is still there. 

“There is that sense of taking your own safety into your own hands and if you do get sick, then you’ll understand you took the risk,” said Christiansen. 

Although some are reacting positively to the lifting of the indoor mask mandate, some are hesitant to fully accept the decision. 

Dr. Sheela Shenoi, a Yale Medicine infectious disease expert, said in an interview with Yalemedicine.org, “I hesitate to say that we are approaching a post-COVID world when so many are still being ravaged by this virus,” she said. “If there is anything we should have learned, it is that we are all interconnected; what happens in one part of the world affects everybody.”

“When I first heard it, I was very shocked.” said freshman marketing major, Kaleigh Nguyen. “Because I personally think it should still be enforced. Especially since we’re in school and we’re not six feet apart like how we should be.”

Nguyen wants her time to be spent in small gatherings.

 “Maybe some parties with friends. But I don’t think I’ll be going to concerts or any big events like that. I think of just small events with family and friends that I’m more comfortable with now,” said Nguyen. 

Senior computer gaming and entertainment major, Gilberto Salas, thinks the mask mandate should have stayed. “The mandate has helped me. Obviously it’s a little bit of a struggle keeping the mask on. Personally, I’ve gotten used to it at this point from having the mask on for so long.”

Vinh Nguyen, a senior finance major said, “It has been two years since COVID began. But you know, COVID is still around. We need to wash our hands and keep our distance.”