Oberlin College implements extreme mask mandate for students

Oberlin College is implementing a near-universal mask mandate on its campus after one student tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Robby Soave at Reason.com, the campus told its students that under no circumstances should students remove their masks, either indoors or outside, unless alone in their dorm room or eating outside. 

The campus has experienced very few cases of COVID over the last year, with totals not exceeding double digits. Their current vaccination rate is nearly 90%, so no widespread outbreaks are expected.

This new mask mandate is more extreme than what most colleges are implementing, and far exceeded the recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

This new mask mandate comes as colleges around the country are attempting to  balance mitigation policy with student learning. 

The policy will go into effect on Sept. 27 and last until Oct. 18