Amherst College introduces anonymous survey to determine whether masks are necessary

An awake liberal arts college has introduced a new mask policy requiring all students in a class to wear face masks if a single person requests it using an anonymous survey.

Under the new policy at Amherst College in Massachusetts, every student and teacher would be given an anonymous survey in which they can voice their opinion about whether they want a mask mandate in their class.

The new guidance was created by Catherine Epstein, provost and dean of the Massachusetts school faculty, who: wrote to her colleagues on September 29 that the new policy will come into effect on October 17.

During that time, she wrote, classrooms, teaching labs, and all other instructional spaces will either continue to require masking or be mask optional, depending on the outcome of an anonymous survey conducted in each classroom or lab.

Before October 17, faculty members will conduct an anonymous survey of their classes, either by collecting handwritten (not names!) answers to the question, ‘Should masks be required in this class?’ or by distributing a survey,” she explains.

“If anyone in the class, including the instructor, wants to continue masking, then masks are mandatory,” Epstein wrote. “In addition, even those classes that dictate masks are optional will respect a person’s choice to wear a mask.”

She added that “the faculty is encouraged to reconsider the decision with a new survey in early November,” stressing that after the Thanksgiving break, “the college will demand a stricter masking protocol for an appropriate duration.”

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Caroline Hanna, director of media communications for the school, said the idea is to let each classroom set the masking policy for itself.

It comes even as COVID cases continue to drop across the country as the majority of Americans move out of the pandemic.

Adherence to strict COVID safety procedures is now seen as a sign of progressive behaviour, with many proudly declaring that they still follow strict virus protocols while accusing those who don’t of being indifferent conservatives.

As of September 27, there were 9,047 new confirmed cases in Massachusetts, with only 245 people mostly hospitalized for the virus.

And across the country, COVID cases have steadily declined to 45,725 new cases as of Friday, with 3,570 new hospitalizations and just 325 new COVID-related deaths.

Catherine Epstein, provost and dean of the faculty at Amherst College, wrote to her colleagues on Sept. 29 about the school’s new mask policy

The new guideline is a marked change from school policy just a month ago, which required all students to wear a KN95 mask in classrooms, studios, teaching labs and all other instructional areas.

In an exclusive statement to DailyMail.com, Hanna said, “Like much of the rest of the world, our masking policies have evolved over the past two and a half years, just as the pandemic has evolved.

‘The goal is for each class to determine the desired policy in the class.’

The new guideline is a clear change from school policy just a month ago, which required all students to wear a KN95 mask in classrooms, studios, teaching labs and all other instructional areas.

Amherst has become known in recent years for its strict masking policy.

Prior to the fall semester of 2021, the college announced it had tightened its public health precautions as the Delta variant continued to spread.

Under the policy at the time, all staff, faculty and students were required to wear face coverings in campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

Students were also required to double-mask if they did not have KN95 at the time.

But the new guideline, released shortly before the start of the semester, prompted some students to write an open letter to the administrators.

The letter states Amherst Student According to reports, more than 250 students at the school asked administrators to be more transparent about the decision-making process, take into account the voice of students and lift some of the new restrictions.

“This updated set of guidelines does not appear to be consistent with current CDC, state, local and peer institution standards for COVID-19 response, and we demand revision and clarification,” the letter read.

“It is currently challenging to believe that Amherst remains committed to our full student experience, and difficult to regain the typical enthusiasm that comes with returning to campus each fall.”

Amherst College (pictured) is known for its strict masking policy

In March, when many schools across the country began lifting COVID restrictions due to declining numbers, the college required that a KN95 mask be worn in all indoor, communal and public areas.

“Masks are optional for students in their residence halls, except at scheduled events,” Amherst’s policy was at the time.

“KN95 masks will remain mandatory in all other indoor campus spaces, except when alone in a private office with the door closed,” it said, adding that while masks are not mandatory outdoors, students are asked “to have a mask on hand.” .

“Whether indoors or out, we encourage everyone to share their mask preferences and respect each other’s wishes,” it said at the time.