By: Sophia von Seebach

Effective March 2 The University of Mississippi lifted all on campus mask mandates for the first time in two years. It felt, to many, as if the days of COVID-19 were finally over, but not everyone on campus feels that the days of masks and social distancing are behind them.

According to the Mississippi Department of Health, COVID-19 numbers remain low in Oxford, MS with only 129 reported new cases as of March 22. The spread has slowed, however the Mississippi Health Department has reported that only 55% of Mississippi residents are fully vaccinated.

“Given that my priority is the health and well being, plus [the students’] academic success, I believe that continuing masking in classrooms removes a certain degree of anxiety,” said Dr. Ioannis Ziogas, a professor at the University of Mississippi.

In spite of the low amount of COVID-19 cases, but those who are vulnerable still have reservations about ending masking. “I am aware of a few cases of immunocompromisation amongst my students,” said Dr. Ziogas. “Many of them have approached me saying that they are very worried about their own health and the health of their family.”

According to Dr. Ziogas, these concerns have led him to continue masking in his classrooms, and encourage his students to do the same. In part, Dr. Ziogas said that the students return from spring break is an additional concern

“There’s this kind of concern among faculty and students that the cases are going to increase exponentially,” said Dr. Ziogas. “I’ve had students approach me in tears because of the anxiety of the lack of a mask mandate.”

In spite of the natural desire to return to normalcy, Ziogas stated that his students have been very understanding that there are other around them that have serious reasons to fear infection. He said that all of his students continue to wear their masks voluntarily.

It is not just those that are immunocompromised that wish to continue masking. There are also those who feel more comfortable wearing a mask and social distancing on campus.

Anthony Alexander, a student at the University of Mississippi, continues to wear his mask in public spaces. He said that he planned to wear his mask for an indefinite amount of time, whether or not COVID-19 remains a threat.

Alexander said “if you really think about it, if we had already been wearing masks would it have been as easy to come into contact with those diseases? I feel like [masks] should’ve already been an option.”

“It just makes me more comfortable to be honest,” said Alexander.

Many students feel similar to Alexander, and wish to wear their masks even though they have no imminent fear of catching COVID-19.

Lexiana Walker, student and part-time library aid at the University of Mississippi, still wears a mask on campus. Walker said that she was schocked when the University lifted the mask mandate, considering that there are still active cases.

Walker said “[masking’ helps prevent the spread of COVID, and I feel like [COVID-19] is not going away.”

Walker also said that she believes that masks will become a permanent fixture for some people, although she will stop wearing her’s once she feels more comfortable.

Comfort is also a common theme amongst those that continue to mask in public areas. After two years of only seeing half of everybody’s face, some students feel strange parting with their masks.

Hannah Scardino, a sophomore at the University of Mississippi, said that the transition has been very unusual for her. Scardino said “it’s not that I’m afraid of getting COVID, I’ve just gotten used to it.”

“The past two years, I’ve been wearing a mask almost constantly,” said Scardino. “You know, you grab your backpack, your shoes, your mask and you put it on, it just feels weird without it at this point.”