The COVID-19 rules for the cafeteria are ineffective and unfair to students. How come COVID-19 only travels north to south and not east to west? It does not make sense that we can not face our friends, when for most students, it is the only free time they have a day to socialize. In my opinion, the seating system is only done to make it look like we are "doing something" about COVID. In reality, I think we all know it does not actually stop the spread. I think allowing students to sit where they please will help Rustin. As a student, I always look forward to lunch because I get to talk about my day and connect with people. Cramming next to my friends makes it hard to socialize and even more hard to eat. I respect the idea the school board proposed about cafeteria rules. Everybody on the school board truly cares about keeping us in school, and more importantly, our safety. But, most students believe that if we can sit across from each other it will actually space us out more. Cramming next to fellow students is 100% less safe then sitting across from each other. If we sit across from each other, we will be more spaced. Instead of having four kids on a small bench, we will have two kids on each side. This is a better way of social distancing. Another benefit is that the faculty members will not have to worry about pacing the cafeteria to make kids get up and find a new seat. Especially when no seats are open and students are forced to stand up. Allowing students to sit across from each other in the cafeteria will benefit Rustin because kids will be able to socialize more comfortably and students will actually be more spaced out.