It is time for the University Of Waterloo to end its mask mandate on campus.

Early in the pandemic, when health authorities required that masks be worn in nearly all public spaces, The mask mandate was definitely the right thing to do. However, times have changed. Now, with the exception of hospitals, one can go virtually anywhere in the province without being required to wear a mask.

Throughout the pandemic, the university’s administration has continually said that they aim to follow public health guidelines as best they can. If that is the case, then how come the administration  is suddenly deviating from these guidelines when they allow (and in some cases require) the choice of whether or not to wear a mask to be left up to the individual?

With exceptionally high vaccination rates, and low rates of severe complications from COVID-19 infection among students, the stage is set for the University of Waterloo to finally lift its mask mandate. 

If not now, when?