As spring breaks begin, some Ohio colleges are ending mask mandates
This new phase of the COVID-19 pandemic – with its falling case numbers and rising vaccination rates – has led most Ohio colleges to cautiously start rolling back indoor masking mandates.
Ohio colleges aren’t the only schools rolling back mask mandates. All of the Big Ten schools have already eliminated or plan to modify their indoor mask mandates by Monday.
The end date for many of these mandates, however, coincide with the start dates for spring break. This has prompted some students and others to ask why these schools wouldn’t wait until after students return from their destinations, potentially bringing COVID-19 back to campus.
Spring break as COVID superspreader? Some students worried
“While I support Ohio State’s strong commitment to following CDC guidance, I believe its mandate should remain in place until the conclusion of spring break,” Nick Hubbell, a student at Ohio State’s Newark campus, tweeted Tuesday following the university’s announcement that it would lift indoor mask mandates March 11.
“…By waiting until, say, the 25th, OSU would allow those who might’ve contracted something over break to isolate before roaming maskless.”
Hubbell’s question isn’t far-fetched. At Ohio State alone, small bumps in COVID-19 cases numbers have been recorded following holiday breaks, despite the university canceling spring break last year.
Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s chief quality and patient safety officer, said that removing mask mandates does pose a risk, but most college students probably don’t need to worry.
“Bottom line is that rolling back masking does carry risk, and those individuals who are at increased risk of serious illness must be extra cautious,” he said. “Because so many college students have already been infected, it is unlikely to result in major outbreak however.”
COVID-19 at Ohio colleges: Here’s which Greater Columbus colleges are ending their indoor mask mandates
University officials said reevaluating COVID-19 mask mandates was based on vaccination rates, low case counts on campuses and guidance from the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. While some remain cautious and brace for more cases, others are hopeful spring break won’t create a spike.
Mask mandates: What other Ohio universities are doing
Kent State University officials say they will remain cautious through spring break and the end of the semester.
On March 3, the northeastern Ohio public university announced it was modifying its indoor mask mandate. Masks are still required in academic spaces like classrooms and laboratories, as well as in medical settings and on public transportation. But in all other indoor settings, masks are optional.
Kent State will continue to offer free testing and require vaccinations through the end of the semester in May, said Melissa Zullo, who oversees the university’s pandemic response.
“We are mindful of spring break and the potential for virus spread to increase,” Zullo said. “Our spring break is later than some universities – the week of March 27 – so we will have the benefit of seeing if cases spiked at other universities that have earlier breaks and we could make adjustments if needed.”
Kent State reports a 81% vaccination rate on its main Kent campus but with spring break in mind, the university is encouraging students and staff to get their booster shot for an “added layer of protection,” Zullo said. It’s also recommending testing before and after break.
While happy with the university’s decline in positive cases this semester, the university must remain vigilant as it deals with the virus long-term, Zullo said.
“However, like other universities, we are hoping that we have turned a corner in the pandemic and our efforts in the future will focus on prevention,” Zullo said.
The university bases its masking decisions on the CDC, guidance from our state, county and city health departments, and advice from experts at Kent State’s College of Public Health, Zullo said.
Ohio University officials are also hesitant to lift mask mandates in academic areas when students return from spring break this week.The university will still require masks in classrooms, laboratories and other learning spaces, including on branch campuses, for the foreseeable future.
After recently discussing COVID-19 policy with other universities and looking to the CDC for guidance, Ohio University has elected to keep its mask mandate in place in academic settings, spokeswoman Carly Leatherwood said.
“We were very deliberate in only reducing masking in more-public and open spaces, so we will continue to mask in classrooms for the time being,” Leatherwood said. “That was a choice we made being proactive while thinking about spring break.”
The university relaxed its mask requirements in non-classroom public spaces on March 1. Leatherwood said vaccination rates for students and employees on the Athens campus, which are over 90%, lowered positivity rates this spring semester and testing requirements might result in the end of the mask mandate after students return after spring break. But nothing is guaranteed at this point, she said.
“It’s something that we have been very deliberate about and very cautious with as we rely on our partnerships from public health officials in the national, state and local level in our decision making,” Leatherwood said.
Ohio State University timed the lifting of its indoor mask mandate at 6 p.m. Friday to the start of spring break, which runs through this week.
More: Ohio State to end indoor mask mandate for most campus buildings on Friday
The university will continue with an optional mask-optional policy, except on CABS buses, in clinical health care settings, at COVID-19 testing locations and in child care centers, after students return from break.
Last year, Ohio State held two shorter instructional breaks during spring semester instead of one week for spring break, emphasizing the importance of limiting travel and adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.
With COVID numbers on the decline and relaxed health recommendations, Ohio State made a return to a week-long spring break.
Mask requirements have been lifted around the state and in Columbus which influenced Ohio State’s decision. university spokesman Ben Johnson said.
He also said that Ohio State’s updated masking policy is also based on improving COVID-19 case counts throughout the spring semester and high vaccination rates, about 93% among students and employees.
On-campus students are also required to take weekly tests, regardless of vaccination status, and the university provided free antigen test kits for spring break travelers, which are optional.
“We are confident in our health and safety protocols and look forward to a great spring,” he said. “Going forward, we will continue to adjust our protocols when warranted.”
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