This past Wednesday, St. Charles West high school (under the direction of the Board of Education and superintendent Dr. Sefrit) implemented an emergency mask policy that will stay in effect until the next Board of Education meeting.  This mandated mask policy originated after St. Charles West’s school population reached 3% of the population being COVID positive, a policy implemented by the Board of Education back in November.

As for the pandemic and reported cases, the United States as a whole is seeing a massive increase in cases and hospitalizations.  Just yesterday (January 6th), there were 610,989 new cases, 1,748,049 tests given, 116,029 hospitalizations, and 1,404 deaths according to the New York Times.  This is a 227% change compared to 14 days ago and some of the highest numbers reached since September 2020.

The students and parents at St. Charles West are trusting the district with this matter, since their COVID-19 protocols have been consistent and unfaltering.  However, concern for the virus is still prominent in today’s society.

“It’s scary, it puts a lot of people in danger”, says one anonymous student at St. Charles West.

“It’s very concerning”, says another anonymous student at St. Charles West.

The Board of Education will hold their meeting regarding any other mask policies on January 14.