On Tuesday, Aug. 31, the Pandemic Emergency Response Team (PeRT) reinstated a mask mandate in indoor venues with over 250 people in attendance.
The measure is in place until Friday, Sept. 17, when the situation will be reevaluated.
The requirement is also in place for indoor athletic events and chapel. Additionally, wearing a mask is required in Cornwall, the Recital Hall and Mitchell Theatre, irrespective of the number of individuals attending.
PeRT articulated their reasoning behind this decision: increasing cases in Grant County.
“With the easy transmissibility of the Delta variant and increase in county cases, on Monday evening, PeRT considered a variety of proactive measures that could help avoid unintentionally spreading COVID-19 among our students, employees, and guests,” PeRT said in an email.
The message reminded students that individual faculty members may require masks to be worn in classroom settings.
The following day, President Michael Lindsay called on students to view wearing a mask as an act of love as he spoke in chapel.
“We are asking that when you come into this chapel service, you wear masks for the next two weeks… we do this as a way to genuinely show love of neighbor,” Lindsay said.
PeRT releases new numbers related to the spread of COVID-19 weekly. As of Sept. 3, six students were in active isolation following a positive COVID-19 test.
Taylor provided COVID-19 financial relief checks for new freshmen and transfers, as well as returning undergraduate students, MAHE students and pre-college students. The funds were made available by the federal government.
Students retrieved their checks on Sept. 8 in the Larita Boren Student Center. “The process was quick and simple,” sophomore Claire Massey said. “I am thankful for a little leeway.”
