Joanna Orban

Copy Editor

With all of the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, one thing has remained constant: the need to wear a mask or other facial covering. The simplicity of this has grown into a large debate with President Trump and several other national leaders weighing in.

With schools starting up all across the country, many have implemented a mask mandate, including Idaho State University.

President Kevin Satterlee introduced this mandate a few weeks before classes resumed, calling it the Bengal Pledge.

“We have a duty, an obligation and a moral imperative to act with compassion. So today I urge you to take the Bengal Pledge.” said Satterlee in a short video clip.

Although wearing a mask may not seem like a very compassionate act, it protects yourself and others.

The Bengal Pledge consists of three separate statements: pledging to protect yourself, other Bengals and the campus community. Protecting yourself includes making sure you stay healthy and monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19 should you begin to feel ill. Precautions should also be taken to avoid large groups of people where masks won’t be worn and to wash your hands often. “Individual personal conduct consistent with prevention guidelines is strongly encouraged, and we thank you for your continued commitment,” according to the Roaring Back Guidelines on the ISU website. It’s just as important to be safe off-campus as when you’re on-campus.

Protecting other Bengals is just as important as protecting yourself. Wearing masks is the primary responsibility of each and every one of us so we can protect ourselves and others. As a Bengal, you should also stay home if you feel sick and be sure to social distance on campus.

In order to protect the larger campus community, cases of COVID-19 should be reported. One of the most important things that the Bengal Pledge discusses is to remain aware of how ISU is handling COVID. That includes understanding the mask mandate and other protocols.

When ISU handed out face masks during the first week of school, they also handed out an informational card that includes the do’s and don’ts of wearing a face mask. The most important advice is that the face mask has to cover both your mouth and your nose in order to be fully effective. It also needs to be said that constantly adjusting your face mask isn’t safe either. If you’re on the phone or speaking to another person you should not take off or lower your mask to speak.

Although it is tempting to take off the mask as soon as you are in your car or in another private area, precautions should be taken. You should wash your hands before taking off your mask. When you do take the mask off, you should remove it by the ear loops. There has also been a lot of confusion regarding when you have to wear the mask. According to an email sent out to the student body on July 8, “Face coverings must be worn in all shared or public spaces, including common work areas, hallways, meeting rooms, classrooms, research labs and when outdoors in the presence of other individuals.”

That includes when you’re sitting in the PSUB or walking from building to building in the presence of others.

The masks are hot. They’re annoying and they’re itchy. However, they do help and as Bengals, we all need to take the pledge to protect ourselves, others and the campus community.

“We cannot entirely eliminate the risk so it is imperative that every one of us do our part to reduce the spread,” said Satterlee. “We all have a duty and responsibility in this and we do this from a place of true compassion.”