Los Rios to maintain mask mandate

With the second anniversary of mask mandates on the horizon, and a recent statewide lowering of the requirement, students are still not free from the pandemic just yet. Masks are to remain compulsory on Feb. 22 for all on-ground students, professors and staff on campus for the foreseeable future.

Students may still take classes, utilize campus services and study on campus whenever they please, though they must do so while still complying with the Los Rios Community College District mask mandate. Most student and professor reactions to the news have been supportive, though some have grown exhaustive of the persistent stipulations.

“I stand by Sacramento City College in their decision to maintain the mask mandate,” said Hunter Flynn, a student who will be attending in-person classes on the reopening date.

Another student taking completely online classes to avoid the dangers of the virus said, “I think the mask mandate is a good way to make everyone on campus feel safe.”

Other students acknowledge the requirement, but disagree with the necessity, especially seeing the state of California’s decision to lower the mandate. “The mask mandate for Sac City College should be lowered alongside the California mask mandate,” Colin Kemp, a City College student, remarked.

Professors returning to campus in the coming week have their own thoughts on the continual use of masks after the Los Rios announcement.

City College Professor William Doonan has been teaching anthropology online since early 2020, along with much of the teaching staff. “I’m looking forward to an end of masking, but I don’t think we’re there yet,” he said. 

Originally published to the Sac City Express.