On Jan. 1, superintendent Kyle Ramey and the Oakwood City Schools administration placed into effect a mask mandate for Pre-K through 12th grade and staff members in all school property during all school functions through Jan. 30.

Kyle Ramey said in a Jan.1 email to all parents and staff, “We believe requiring masks, along with students and staff implementing ‘multiple prevention strategies’ as outlined by the CDC, will help assure we remain in school, in-person five-days a week.”

In the week of Jan. 24, Ramey sent another email, extending the mask mandate until further notice. Ramey and the district believe that while restrictions are limiting, they will continue to improve the pandemic situation, and improve their response in the long run. 

“While no one wants to increase restrictions, we believe requiring masks is an effective tool we can all use as we face the increase in the current spread of COVID-19,” continued Ramey’s email. “We will continue to evaluate the situation in our area and our hope is to move to masks being optional for all students and staff after this brief period of time.”

In a poll run by AxMedia of 87 students from grades 9-12, many important details of student opinions arose. The names of students who’s anecdotes are used will be kept confidential.

When asked whether students found wearing a mask harmful to their learning, the majority (78.2 percent) believe that no such devaluation has occurred. 12.6 percent of polled students believe that masks are harmful to learning, and 9.2 percent are indifferent on the matter.

When asked whether students felt safer with the mask mandate in effect, the majority (66.7 percent) believed that they did feel safer under the new mandate. 17.2 percent of polled students believe that they feel no safer than prior with the mandate, and 16.1 percent are indifferent on the matter.

When asked whether students wanted the mandate to be extended past the original end date of Jan. 30, the slim majority (54 percent) believe that the mandate should be extended. 27.6 percent of polled students believe that the mandate should not be extended, and 18.4 percent are indifferent on the matter.

Lastly, when asked how students felt overall about the mandate, the data is much more spread out. 

Overall, 43.8 percent of polled students indicate they have “loved” the mandate.

“It’s important people are safe during this time,” one student who indicated this said. “I understand people want to be able to have their face exposed, but overall, safety against a COVID-19 variant like Omicron is much more important than a slight discomfort throughout the day.”

Overall, 36.8 percent of polled students indicate they have “hated” the mandate.

“I do not like how I can’t see everyone’s faces. I also think they get uncomfortable toward the end of the day,” an anonymous student said.

Finally, 36.8 percent are indifferent on the matter as a whole.

“I don’t see the harm in it, but it’s also not my favorite thing in the world,” an anonymous student said.

As of publication, masks are to be worn until further notice.