Students and faculty put their faith in NECC. They look to NECC for a safe campus and secure data protection, but specifically, air clear from airborne particles such as viral aerosols, mold and wildfire smoke.
Dez Kelly, Liberal Arts major at NECC, speaks of community care and grassroots organization. But, when it comes to how NECC takes precautions to protect its students, Kelly hasn’t a clue.
“I haven’t been told any safe places to go, the thought of it hasn’t really crossed my mind until you asked,” Kelly said.
This lack of communication, specifically about shooter events, extends to other topics, like the lack of up-to-date clean-air initiatives on campus.
“They do have the virus-be-gone, but it’s not always on,” Kelly said on Monday.
Kelly speaks of the upright air sanitizers, designed to filter contagious aerosol particles from the air. These machines were brought into classrooms following the COVID-19 pandemic to keep students and faculty members healthy and safe.
“I’ve never seen an air sanitizer,” Jordan Jasmin, a Senior at UMass Lowell, said Wednesday.
The Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative, an effort from the scientific community at Tulane University in New Orleans, monitors wastewater data for COVID-19 transmission across the United States. Of the week of Sep. 29, 20 of the 52 reporting states experienced high to very-high transmission rates, and the PMC predicts anywhere from 100,000 to 1.1 million new infections by Oct. 11.
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can result in disability or even death, especially in vulnerable populations. A recent study in London, UK shows that even a mild infection can cause cognitive decline, even in those without Long COVID symptoms.
“It took months of internal deliberation to get the courage to mask again,” Kelly said.
They admit that they have not worn their N95 every day for the last five years.
“I didn’t start everywhere, it was really a process. It took me a long time to get into that mindset fully,” they said.
Kelly struggled with the emotional conflict of unmasking and masking again.
“It hurt me at first, the shame I felt about myself,” they said.
The guilt of potentially infecting someone vulnerable, weighed on them.
“Reflecting on what I did, how I responded, the harm I may have caused to myself, of others, really thinking about that ripple effect, and how that possibly did start with myself,” they said.
On Monday, Kelly wore an N95 while reporting from the sunny Haverhill quad. Wearing a mask over the nose and mouth is a health measure still needed for close contact, even outdoors.
Professor Seth Ridinger, an American Politics professor at NECC, and professor for 15 years, is well versed in the American Constitution and the Constitutional obligations our country owes to its’ citizens.
“I think the campus has spent a lot of time considering the implications of presidential policy,” Ridinger said. From a faculty perspective, “There’s been a lot of discussion about disseminating information to students,” he said.
“To at least make us aware of what we can and cannot do,” Ridinger said.
When it comes to specific policies, Ridinger knows the nuances of even the most political topics well.
“Let’s say we take gun control, specifically. Both sides of the subject have very strong opinions,” he said.
“It becomes so ensconced in the politics of the question,” he said.
But for policy-making at the school, such avenues do exist.
“If there was a specific policy, there are faculty channels and avenues we can work through to change them. I would feel very comfortable bringing them to my direct supervisor,” Ridinger said.
“From seeing what I do see, you have purifiers in each classroom, they have a COVID mask policy, so the fact that they keep that updated, shows that they do take that stuff seriously,” he said.
However, the last “Campus Communication Regarding Coronavirus” on the NECC website was in March 2022.
Relevant educational data for COVID-19 precautions offered through the school is available on the NECC site, accessible through the link at the bottom of the website, labelled “Public Safety.” “Coronavirus Information and Updates” is listed second to last on the navigation list of the page, under other hyperlinks such as “Compliments and Complaints,” and “Comfort Dog.”
On Wednesday, Ridinger wore a cloth mask over his mouth and nose, citing an at-home COVID infection.
NECC recommends, on their COVID-19-related FAQ page, that higher quality masks, such as KN95’s or N95’s offer substantially more protection than cloth and surgical masks
Kelly is a hopeful transfer student, with an interest in Public Health and Community Service. One of their passions is their solidarity with the disabled community, both on campus and off, with the Amesbury Social, Racial, and Justice Group.
“If I want to promote community care, then I have to mask,” they said.
Kelly cites their solidarity with high-risk populations like homeless, low-income and disabled individuals, and the lack of community masking as the reason why they began masking again
“How can I take your community initiative seriously if this minor inconvenience that protects many people is not an active practice? That is the reason I started masking again,” they said
Kelly stresses the importance of community organization.
“I think you have to start everything at the local level. The first step is private institutions or community gatherings,” they said.
“We have to, and it’s hard to convince people to do that, [we] need support groups, an initiative or club, to promote air safety in general,” they said.
“I think NECC wants to do that,” Kelly said. “Two of the biggest barriers are being properly informed, and accessibility to these measures.” they said.
“How are you going to know what to do, if you don’t know what the heck is going on?” They said.
Kelly suggests that strict absence policies can hinder our solidarity, while access to accurate information and high-quality, well-fitting masks could be the best way to reinforce “truth and community care.”
“You go to school to improve yourself, but if you’re getting sick, then you’re also risking other peoples’ [health]. How are you going to be educated if you have brain fog?” They said.
NECC is not alone: Jasmin suggests a consortium or board for state schools to legislate policies.
“A network of schools in a state could all agree on certain policy,” Jasmin said.
“We owe each other basic kindness and respect, there’s a lot of people who don’t think they owe anyone anything, but that’s a dangerous way of thinking,” Jasmin said.
“You’re actively tearing down community — community is how we survive,” they said.
“We see the world’s getting crazy, and I like to think of our school as a place where even though there may be disagreements, we extend respect and courtesy to everyone else,” said Ridinger.
“If you’re not masking, then you’re not in solidarity with the disabled community.” Kelly said. “I can’t picture not masking anymore — if it’s a new norm for the rest of my life, so be it.”
It may be hard, they said, as desensitization to violence blooms in the garden of apathy.
“We are so desensitized to violence as well, and have just accepted an unsafe world,” Kelly said.
When it comes to the COVID-19 Pandemic, “I think we really like brushing over that because it’s hard to process,” Kelly said.
“Why do I want to put myself through that experience of reflecting and remasking if it’s going to cause me so much pain?” They said.
“There is a reason for it, obviously,” they continued. “It’s community.”
and high-quality, well-fitting masks could be the best way to reinforce “truth and community care.”
“You go to school to improve yourself, but if you’re getting sick, then you’re also risking other peoples’ [health]. How are you going to be educated if you have brain fog?” They said.
NECC is not alone: Jasmin suggests a consortium or board for state schools to legislate policies.
“A network of schools in a state could all agree on certain policy,” Jasmin said.
“We owe each other basic kindness and respect, there’s a lot of people who don’t think they owe anyone anything, but that’s a dangerous way of thinking,” Jasmin said.
“You’re actively tearing down community — community is how we survive,” they said.
“We see the world’s getting crazy, and I like to think of our school as a place where even though there may be disagreements, we extend respect and courtesy to everyone else,” said Ridinger.
“If you’re not masking, then you’re not in solidarity with the disabled community.” Kelly said. “I can’t picture not masking anymore — if it’s a new norm for the rest of my life, so be it.”
It may be hard, they said, as desensitization to violence blooms in the garden of apathy.
“We are so desensitized to violence as well, and have just accepted an unsafe world,” Kelly said.
When it comes to the COVID-19 Pandemic, “I think we really like brushing over that because it’s hard to process,” Kelly said.
“Why do I want to put myself through that experience of reflecting and remasking if it’s going to cause me so much pain?” They said.
“There is a reason for it, obviously,” they continued. “It’s community.”
