At the UNO Wellness Center, we have been doing masked exercise the whole semester, even as COVID numbers drop and vaccination rates rise. We continue to be the only fitness center in Douglas County that requires masks when exercising, even with vaccination rates in Douglas County at 70% for those over the age of 12.
Coming from a long time student staff member, this building has always been a place where you can come and make friends and have fun, all while pushing yourself to be a better person every single day. Masking has taken a huge toll on mental health for our employees in the Wellness Center. Personally, I used to meet 10-15 new people every semester. Being a social butterfly, that was one of the best parts of my job. Now, with masks, I have not made a single new relationship this semester. That is because we are asked to be the mask police. We went from being someone any gym-goer could talk to to being the bad guy and enemy in the weight rooms.
UNL and UNK do not require masks in the activity areas of their Wellness Centers. I want to see UNO make that change and follow along with our two other Nebraska system schools. If you feel that you would be more comfortable coming to the Wellness Center without exercising with a mask on, please support me in signing this petition and hopefully making a difference when I sit down with UNO administration next week to discuss this issue.