Mask Rules in Cafeteria Raise Questions, Concerns
By Eva Liss
STAFF WRITER
Most Andover High School students are doing their best to follow the masking and social distancing rules in the AHS cafeteria this year.
When in the cafeteria, social distancing isn’t required, and students are only required to wear their masks when walking around. These rules were created by Massachusetts’ Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in accordance with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines. The mask mandates were extended through October 1, then November 1, and have since been extended through January 15 as of October 26. Although the vaccination rate in the high school is high, at 85 percent, it is still important for students to follow the guidelines to keep the school safe.
“I’m very glad we have masks,” junior Juliet Herrick said. “But how can you eat food with a mask on? If we’re distanced it’s awkward. [The cafeteria rules are] like a compromise. It gives you a taste of normal.”
Freshman Carmina Merrill said that she believes it’s harder to enforce the masking rules in the cafeteria than in the classroom. Senior Tessa Barcelo said “Sometimes people don’t follow [the rules],” and that she feels the rules should be a little more enforced.
With the amount of students and the large space, it’s hard for the monitors to keep track. Ron Ramsey, an AHS monitor, has a different opinion than Merrill and Barcelo. He said that kids are generally more willing to follow the rules, especially ones who were at AHS last year.
Masked and unmasked students sit in cafeteria during their lunch block
The rules for eating in the cafeteria last year were much more severe. There were two eating spaces—the cafeteria and the Dunn Gym—and students ate at desks spaced six feet apart. Sophomore Ingrid Cotta said, “[The masking rules] make it easier to hang out with your friends at lunch, and I think most of the people are following the rules. It works out pretty well.” Students seem to be willing to cooperate with the current rules if it means they don’t have to go back to the old ones.
Scott Darlington, an assistant principal at AHS, said he believes that students need to focus a little more on following the rules and keeping themselves and others safe. He also said students are doing a good job so far. “It takes a certain amount of discipline to remember to [mask up],” said Darlington. “Sometimes people take off their masks, put them down, and then they stand up to get a glass of water and they’re halfway there, and we remind them, and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, I didn’t even realize that!’”
Darlington said he believes AHS is doing the best it can with the guidelines it has. “Everyone thinks ‘Oh, why do we still have to wear masks?’ Because you probably would have a hard time keeping your school open if you didn’t,” he added.
