Lincoln Public Schools has implemented a new mask policy that took effect on Aug. 25.

The new policy calls for all students, staff, and visitors to wear masks at all times regardless of vaccination status. The change comes due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in Lincoln Public Schools and Lancaster County. Since Aug. 8 in LPS, 202 students have tested positive and 47 staff members have tested positive. Since Aug. 11, there have been 1,573 COVID-19 cases in Lancaster County. 

For the first two weeks of school, the policy was different. For students who were fully vaccinated, masks were optional. For students who were not fully vaccinated, masks were strongly recommended. Students and teachers in the special education program were always required to wear masks. Any visitors that entered the building were also required to wear masks at all times regardless of vaccination status. 

“When it is determined there are outbreaks or extreme high risk of spread in our community, then face coverings will be required,” Mindy Burbach, Director of Communications at Lincoln Public Schools said. “It is a pandemic and conditions change rapidly. We respond based on current community conditions.” 

Students have their respective views on the second change in the face-covering policy this school year. They also have their own opinions on vaccines and the implementation of a vaccination mandate.

“We knew it (the new mask policy) would happen eventually, we just didn’t know when. Eventually it’s gonna change again,” junior Tea Wilson said. “There’s so many people that are unvaccinated, we still get emails about people getting COVID. Why can’t they just make vaccines mandatory? I know it’ s a political thing now, but how are human lives political?” 

Some students were skeptical of the precautions that students were taking to keep themselves safe during this pandemic.

“I think it’s kinda good though, because a lot of people weren’t wearing masks, and I’m pretty sure not a lot of people were vaccinated,” senior Gabriela Chairez said. “I was wearing a mask because it was keeping myself and others safe. I think it will change but I don’t know when. I don’ t want the policy to change again right now because I don’t trust other people to be safe.”

Schools are allowed to ask if students are vaccinated in order to contact trace. The contact tracing process differs depending if a student is vaccinated or not. Vaccinated students only have to quarantine for as long as they have symptoms if they contract COVID. Meanwhile, unvaccinated students have to quarantine for the full two weeks after either contracting COVID or coming into contact with someone who has.  

All policies about face-coverings are subject to change as the School Board continues to work with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.