Atlanta college reinstates mask mandate due to rise in on-campus COVID cases
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Atlanta’s Morris Brown College has reinstated its mask mandate. The university is the first in the nation to do so.
School administration explained the changes were because of reports of positive cases within the Atlanta University Center Consortium. The system consists of Morehouse, Clark Atlanta and Spelman colleges.
Students have mixed feelings about the changes.
“We went so long without taking it so seriously to begin with, I’m not surprised that it’s back,” said Rodney Sampson III, a student at Morehouse.
“I per se don’t want to wear a mask again,” said Daveon Parks, a student at Clark Atlanta.
Over the next 14 days, the school says the following protocols will be in place:
- Mask wearing
- Physical distancing
- Large gatherings guidelines
- Isolation and quarantine
- Contact tracing
- Symptom monitoring
- Regular hand washing/sanitization
The small private college announced the mask mandate on its social media Monday.
Could we see mask mandates return?
Dr. Jayne Morgan with Piedmont Healthcare said it’s too early to tell.
“We are seeing hospitalizations start to tick up, as well as emergency rooms visits, and since the public health emergency ended, we do not have data on community transmission. We only have these two pieces of data and sometimes wastewater.”
Fulton County’s two-week COVID-19 tracking period shows over 100 news cases this period compared to the last.
Students said it’s the new reality we’re living with COVID.
“I can see the argument as to why people have to wear it at school,” said Sampson.
Said Parks: “I understand people have to be safe at the same time,” said Parks.
To view CDC COVID-19 guidelines, click here.
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