Prior to the start of the 2021-2022 school year, it was announced by superintendent Dr. Thurman that the mask mandate was changed due to parents’ concerns of COVID-19. On Aug. 10, the Cabot School District website posted the new mask mandate as the district entered yet another year with COVID-19. 

It was originally thought that students would be allowed to choose whether or not they would wear their masks. However, after gathering results of a survey that was sent to parents of CSD students, it was decided that the mandate would be modified to fit the majority rule. 

As of now, all masks are required to be worn in all school buildings and vehicles for a 30 day period. The mandate will be taken into consideration once again after the required interval of time has passed. 

Some CHS students believe that last year’s Spring policy on the mask was the best way to go about it. 

“I think wearing masks should be a choice for us kids because we’re supposed to have free will,” junior Mo Haslip said. 

For others, they were torn between the positive aspects and the negative aspects of the mask mandate. 

“I am on both sides of the mask mandate policy. One reason why is that the people who don’t have the shots have been getting sick, but the people who have shots still get sick as well. But at the same time, research has proven that masks don’t work effectively,” senior Frankie Moreland said. 

If all goes well, the mask requirements will be lifted by the end of September, unless there is an active increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.