On August 16, 2021, Morton students were to go back into the building for in-person learning. Students and staff were to follow safety guidelines due to COVID. They were to stay six feet apart, wear a mask and wash/sanitize their hands. These guidelines were to be followed but some students struggled to do so.

Every day, students are seen not wearing their masks correctly and wearing them under their noses. It is important to wear your mask properly to keep yourself and everyone around you safe.

According to Mask Mythbusters, students find masks uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time and find it difficult to speak and breathe while wearing a mask. In order to work around this, they decide to take it off or let it rest under their nose so they can breathe properly, potentially exposing themselves and others to the virus.

“Masks used to be sort of weird to use but over the years I’ve gotten used to having them on all day. They have never been a big problem or impediment in any of my daily activities. Wearing them allows people to feel safe during unsafe circumstances,” Kim Alarcon, Senior, said.

Wearing facemasks is one of the most effective preventive measures people can take to protect themselves and others from becoming infected with the virus.

According to the IDPH, masks act as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice.

“Students who are unable to wear a face covering or face shield due to a medical contraindication may not be denied access to in-person education. Staff working with students who are unable to wear a face covering or shield due to a medical contraindication should wear approved and appropriate PPE based on job specific duties and risks and maintain physical distancing as much as possible. Other students should also remain physically distant from students who are unable to wear a face covering or face shield due to a medical contraindication,” Rosalba Hernandez, school nurse, said.

According to the CDC, appropriate and consistent use of masks may be challenging for some, including people with certain disabilities. Challenges may be caused by being sensitive to having material on the face, difficulty understanding why wearing a mask is protective (such as those with an intellectual disability) or having difficulty controlling behavior.

“Although being in the building allows for more connection with my peers and teachers it is difficult to feel motivated in the winter and during a pandemic. It is also unnerving knowing that you are risking your health every day by going to school. Remote learning should be an option for all people who do not agree with the guidelines set in place,” Alarcon said.

It is clear that some students do not feel as safe as they should when coming into school because students are not following the safety guidelines and not being able to social distance.

“I truthfully see majority of students wearing their mask correctly. On average, I will say I see about 5% not wearing it correctly in the service lines. I feel that discipline for not wearing the mask should be the first step. I would not consider closing the school unless transmission has reached a point that is not safe.” Malik Steward, food service consultant, said.