Hofstra President Susan Poser speaks at a Student Government Association (SGA) meeting. // Photo courtesy of Adam Flash.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the end of the indoor mask mandates, effective on Feb. 10, adding that the state could reassess the mandate in March, depending on reported numbers moving forward.
Following Hochul’s announcement, Hofstra University President Susan Poser issued a statement to the student body, stating that the administration would be reevaluating the school’s mask policy in the coming weeks, in tandem with conversations with Northwell Health. While masks are still required in classrooms and administrative buildings on campus, Poser announced that mask requirements for all Mack Arena athletic events would be lifted effective immediately, as well as in communal spaces in residence halls. Food and drink restrictions were also lifted, according to an email sent to the student body on Feb. 14.
“I think it’s really irresponsible for them to be removing mask requirements, specifically for events involving the general public,” said Ally Herrington, a freshman publishing major. “Even with proof of vaccination, we can’t guarantee people attending are adhering to safe mask use. Considering the Omicron spikes over winter break, it feels like inviting another increase.”
The national peak hit hardest in mid-January, with more than 80,000 reported cases across the country. Currently, New York faces a daily average of 1,353 cases over the last seven days, with at least 67 hospitalizations and 32 confirmed deaths. In turn, numbers in Nassau County have dropped 64% in the last two weeks.
“I just think it’s very insensitive [towards] people who have pre-existing conditions,” said Tal Heyman, a sophomore public policy and public service major. “You can’t see my pre-existing condition, but I have lower iron and oxygen levels, and when I get sick, it’s worse than if another person got sick.”
Outside of concerns for her health, Heyman mentioned unease about falling behind in her coursework if she were to get COVID-19, saying missing a week of classes and having no remote option to stay involved would make it difficult to learn and complete work on time. This sentiment was later echoed by Kadaline Jackel, a senior psychology major and the president of the Disability Rights, Education, Activism & Mentoring (DREAM) organization on Hofstra’s campus.
“I think [removing mask requirements] is very dangerous and irresponsible, and it contradicts what’s in the best interest of not only disabled students but everyone,” Jackel said. “Rates and cases are going down because we are wearing masks.”
On Feb. 10, Hofstra SGA held a senate meeting to discuss New York State’s mask mandate change. // Photo courtesy of Adam Flash.
Hofstra’s Student Senate met on Feb. 10, where Poser addressed questions about the Mack Arena email, saying the administration was consulting with Northwell Health to determine a course of action for the future. Whatever is decided would be subject to change depending on how COVID-19 numbers in Nassau County performed in the coming weeks, Poser told the room. Additionally, she urged students who felt concerned about the changes in mask guidelines to be vocal and reminded the room that everyone was entitled to wear a mask if they chose.
“What I am being told, from a public health point of view, is that we might not need these anymore,” Poser said, gesturing to her mask. “On the other hand, we have older people on this campus, we have immunocompromised people on this campus, so it’s complex. And I must say honestly, the answer right now may be something with a lot of gray areas, as we move – hopefully – towards the end [of COVID-19].”
In her email to the student body, Poser was transparent about the decision-making process, providing statistics to support the changes in mask protocols and stating that the policy would be adapted as needed. Surveillance testing will also be increased from 8% to 15%.
While Poser emphasized that only a few policies had changed, DREAM representatives have spoken out against any broad sweeping changes, establishing that disabled people have been left out of conversations surrounding these changes since the beginning of the pandemic. DREAM Vice President Brie Hall, a drama senior, brought attention to the fact that quarantine housing is not accessible to students with physical disabilities.
“It’s not fair for the university and President Poser to equate our needs with the wants of those who feel that masks are no longer necessary,” Jackel said. “We should be listening to the needs of all students, and I think that needs to start with the most vulnerable, and I don’t think the university is currently doing that.”
“I hope the administration takes this as a conversation to have moving forward,” said Hall. “We would love to meet with those who are making these decisions, not only to discuss the mask issue but also what disabled students face on a regular basis.”
DREAM representatives plan to meet with the vice provost’s office to discuss attendance policies and remote options in the coming weeks, while on-campus students can expect to start seeing full faces more often.
