WICOMICO, Md. - Wor-Wic Community College has issued an indoor mask mandate for all students, faculty and employees regardless of vaccination status. The mandate went into effect Monday August 23.
As COVID cases are on the rise across Maryland, the return of Wor-Wic's mask mandate is consistent with the policies of 15 out of the 16 community colleges in the state.
Although the fall 2021-2022 school year begins on September 8th, employees and some students were on campus to experience the first day of the mandate.
Student Hunter Smith of Salisbury was on campus to register for classes and he was disappointed to learn about the mandate.
"Now that they have a vaccine out and the government is pushing everyone to get it, then why are they making us wear mask," Smith said. "I think it is a double standard. and I think its all a bunch of political hypocrisy."
Samantha Ellis was also on campus today preparing for the upcoming semester. She said she was not happy to find out about the mandatory mask, but she will do what she has to do to attend in-person class.
"I was a little dismayed at the beginning, but I'm just trying to follow the rules the best as I possibly can," Ellis said. "But at the same time, I'm a little uncomfortable."
Director of communications and media relations, Sandra Pierson said as of right now the college has not received backlash or complaints from employees and students. She made the assumption the comments and complaints will probably come to the administration once the students are back on campus in September.
"Nobody likes wearing it," Pierson said. "We all hate it. We're all sick of covid-19. But...I think, my personal opinion is its the easiest way to tell if everyone is doing what they're suppose to be doing. You can't look at someone and tell if they're vaccinated. But you can easily look at everybody and see if they have a mask on or not."
For more information about Wor-Wics COVID protocols for the upcoming semester, click here.