The mask mandate will be lifted on January 17th! We can finally go back to a normal life free of masks, social distancing, canceled events, limited capacities, and quarantine. Half of my entire high school experience has been us, students, wearing masks. The masks bubbled each individual from the rest of the world. Feeling no need to communicate or show up to events and parties. Absolutely isolated from the outside world. Going through the same old motions every day. Sanitize, mask up, 6 feet apart at all times; these words were repeated over and over again, every day, every second. Waking up in the morning with no motivation or joy because we were all so close yet so far. Not being able to hug a friend in need, shaking someone’s hand, high-fiving. Nothing, nothing but 6 feet. Nothing but feeling alone, depressed, like our entire high school experience has been stripped from our hands. It almost got to the point faces were unrecognizable, you forgot what one of your classmates looked like without a mask. We read people based on what their eyes reflected, so hence the word FINALLY! A normal prom, classroom environment, lunchroom, sports, activities. It is a new, fresh, start to look forward to. 

On November 17th, a text went out to all parents and staff saying we could possibly have the mask mandate lifted even EARLIER, on December 4th. The normal lifestyle is within reach. A good question to ask is how will everyone react to the normalcy of it all. We haven’t been normal since 2019. That’s a long time of settling into the covid life. Will there be outbreaks? Time will only tell…