On Oct. 22, 2021 Hamilton’s COVID-19 Task Force sent out a school-wide email regarding masking on campus. The email stated that all athletes including varsity, club and intramural teams, as well as actors in productions that have received approval from the Task Force and will no longer be required to wear masks while actively practicing, performing or competing. This change was made out of concerns for the safety of athletes and for the benefit of theatre programs. The news was generally widely celebrated across campus.
Jamie King, the varsity men and women’s squash coach, discussed how continued masking could have affected his athletes, mentioning the multiple safety challenges that arose in regards to masking. Players’ quick movements lead to masks moving around and potentially restricting their vision. Another problem was that masks became wet from sweat during practice and competition.
This limited the players’ ability to comfortably breathe while wearing a mask. A specific concern for squash players, which King brought up, was the continuous fogging of necessary protective eyewear or goggles when worn in combination with masks.
With limited alternatives to the standard eyewear required for squash, it was challenging to find one that was safe for play, would not fog and did not interfere with the game. Additionally, the school would have needed to purchase this special equipment with a mask requirement. Other sports such as ice hockey face the same issue of masks coming into conflict with necessary protective equipment like their helmets.
Ultimately the decision to no longer require masks during practice and competition was the COVID-19 Task Force’s decision. King mentioned that he, along with other athletic coaches, were allowed to provide the Task Force with information on what other organizations specific to their sport were doing and how schools in New York State with similar demographics were handling masking.
King specifically gave the Task Force information on what the regulations were for U.S. Squash, the Collegiate Squash Association, as well as other small colleges in the area such as the Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
In conversation with fellow coaches, he mentioned other winter sports doing the same, such as basketball looking at what NBA regulations might be or those of other national organizations. This additional information allowed the COVID-19 Task Force to make a well-informed decision regarding masking on campus with the safety of Hamilton athletes being the top priority.
The change in masking protocol not only affects winter sport athletes, but also fall athletes at the end of their season. Melissa Morelli ’24, a member of the varsity volleyball team, explained the positive difference she felt when the rules were changed. She remarked on how it feels strange to now no longer wear a mask after being required to do so for so long. This seemed to be a common feeling among student athletes.
One challenge for Morelli’s team when wearing masks was communication. She stated, “wearing masks makes communication so much harder” and explained how it is a crucial part of successfully playing volleyball.
Looking back, Morelli said “that it was something I never really thought would be affected by masks until we were playing.” She noted that not being able to read her teammates’ lips or hear them clearly when the masks muffled sound were the largest challenges. Morelli is looking forward to a hopefully mask free championship weekend ahead.
However, not all students have reaped the benefits of this rule change quite yet. Johnny Oblak ’24, a student enrolled in Theatre 100, commented on his experience as an actor still wearing masks indoors. Oblak’s class has not yet received approval to perform maskless. Instead, they have been conducting performances and some classes outside at Babbitt Pavillion. Oblak explained how he currently prefers performing outdoors because “actors can communicate thoughts nonverbally with their facial expressions.” He said, “it just feels more natural that way as your voice projects better.”
Oblak’s class will only continue to meet at Babbitt Pavilion if the day’s temperature is above 55 degrees. In recent weeks, this has become a challenge as recent classes have been forced to be masked and indoors due to colder temperatures. Oblak hopes that his class can receive approval to do their final performances unmasked inside, as it would be a highlight of the course this semester.
It is important to note that all the current masking protocols in athletics and the Theatre department, as well as for the rest of campus, are still subject to change based on the current state of the pandemic, developing scientific knowledge and infection rates in Oneida County.
Student safety remains the top priority of the College, and the administration will continue to update students on the current state of area-wide infection rates. Hopefully, as infection rates decrease the COVID-19 Task Force can continue to loosen mask regulations on campus in accordance with CDC guidelines.
