On March 4, IU lifted its mask policy, so students and faculty no longer have to wear masks in classrooms or campus buildings.
In this first week without the mask policy, we can obviously see that many students choose not to wear masks in class.
Many students couldn’t wait to get back to normal life and leave the masks behind.
Some students choose to breathe the fresh air easily, but some students choose to continue wearing masks.
Interview with the students chooses to continue wearing masks.
Whether you choose to wear a mask or not, that’s your choice.
Interestingly, there are also different considerations for students from different countries.
Students from different countries may have different views on the same issue because of the different environments and cultures they grow up in.
“Everyone has their own perspectives and in my opinion taking the mask off or not depends on which place I am currently in,” IU senior Anuka Sodnomtseren from Mongolia said.
“I do think I would want to wear masks a bit longer just because it’s effective to prevent me from getting sick,” Michelle Lie from Malaysia said.
“I assume that most students from South Korea won’t really care about the policy change,” IU sophomore Kevin Lee from South Korea said. “but most of them will continue to wear masks for the safety of their own health.”
Full interview with Kevin Lee.
In addition to ideological differences, different policies in each country also influenced students’ views on whether to continue wearing masks.
In China and Indonesia, for example, people are required to wear masks even though there are few cases.
If a student’s home country has strict requirements for masks, he or she is more likely to continue wearing them even if the school no longer requires them.
In addition, many international students will continue to wear masks due to the travel policy.
IU Ph.D. student in anthropology Shula Sun from China plans to return to China this summer.
“I’m really afraid and anxious for not wearing masks,” Shula said. “Because of the travel restriction and testing policy.”
At present, if Chinese students want to return to China, they need to take COVID-19 tests at least four times before boarding the plane.
If they test positive or have been tested positive before, they will face more complicated procedures.
After making plans to return home, international students often feel anxious about not being able to board a normal flight.
So many international students are relatively more afraid of the COVID-19 because they want to get back to their home countries smoothly.
“I think for now wearing masks is the best option we have,” Michelle said.
Yes, so wearing a mask is the best way for international students planning to return home now.
The Monroe County Health Department also lifted its mask mandate one week ago. Face masks are now optional but recommended in indoor settings.
Whether to continue wearing masks is a personal choice, and we can all make that choice based on our own needs and considerations.
Should we continue to wear masks? There is no correct answer.
