Superintendent Christopher Smith announced on Feb. 1 that the mask mandate would be lifted as of Monday, Feb. 7, a decision that was made five days after mask requirements in school facilities expired under the Tri-County Health Department (TCHD) Board of Health.

“This change comes as the district and community continue to see sharp decreases in the numbers of reported COVID-19 cases,” Smith said in his letter to CCSD families.

The school district started out the school year without a mask mandate, later implemented one in September, and now, once again, wearing a mask in school is a personal choice. According to Principal Ryan Silva, the district’s changes in mask policy closely follow the changes in TCHD regulations.

Even so, students have split opinions on the district’s decision. Some appreciate having a choice in wearing a mask.

“I think everyone should have the option to wear their mask or not,” senior Brandon De Jesus said.

However, others fear that less people wearing masks could mean a higher possibility of going back to online school, which according to freshman Naur Kreishan, was a negative experience for many.

“It seems like just yesterday we were all freaking out about going online. It’s just so unpredictable. It  really doesn’t seem like the right time,” Kreishan said.

Sophomore Vivan Prabhu sees both sides of the situation. Like many students, he isn’t certain whether or not the district’s decision is the best for public health.

“A lot of people just feel like they’re being forced to wear a mask, even though they don’t want to. So I think that this kind of helps those people, but at the same time I think that, you know, we’re still in a pandemic. And public safety should just be the priority,” Prabhu said.

Principal Silva recognizes that it is a divisive, complex situation.

“Right now, they [masks] are highly encouraged, but it is up to the individual to decide if they’re going to wear them. Which in some ways is good. In other ways, it complicates things,” Silva said.