Finally! Maskless

Photo Credit: ANGHI

More than 750 days since we were first required to wear masks indoors, California Governor Gavin Newsom lifted 95% of executive orders concerning COVID-19. This came with great relief to so many. I talked with a couple of people and asked them how they felt.

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What do you think our “new normal” would look like?

“It would be nice to be able to walk around and breathe freely without the need for a mask again, but wellbeing and peace of mind ultimately take precedence for me. Regardless of the changed mask mandates, I will continue wearing masks for a while.”

Karen Chow, 19, Santa Cruz, CA (originally lived in Monterey Park, CA)

How do you think the coronavirus variants will affect everyone in the long run?

“I think it’s [COVID-19] going to be just like the flu.” Anjali Prabha, 21, Santa Cruz, CA

Was the mask mandate helpful?

“I think they were helpful, at least for social reasons. Even if they had no effect on spreading the virus, it felt like I was doing my part.”

Thomas Patterson, 19, Santa Cruz, CA