The Immunocompromised Will Bear The Weight of Reopening

Restaurants and events are re-opening at full capacity, vaccine passports are no longer required and the mask mandate is set to be phased out – Montreal is opening up again. Many are exited, even looking forward to the mask mandate ending in May. But not all are excited, some fear how COVID-19 will increase amidst reopening and removal of all mandates and regulations.

Sureaya White, a Concordia student, says not everyone in her class observes the rules already in place.

White says the enforcement of people wearing masks is inconsistent. She says some teachers are on top of enforcing masks but not all, noting that some students will keep their mask down after eating a snack or having a coffee.

"I think [the university] is trying to look like they're covering their bases a bit more than actually covering their bases," said White.

She noted that it's anxiety inducing to wonder how the public will act following the removal of mandates. 

White says there's a lack of knowledge when it comes to some people saying we can establish "herd immunity" with the removal of mandates. She said she has read counter opinions to vaccines and mandates, but says she is not convinced through her research – noting it's a lot of opinions and not ideas based on facts. 

"I personally don't know what other examples people are pulling from from history where we've just magically gained this heard immunity, even if we have, that still means that many people are dying, becoming infected, and living with these long term symptoms," said White. She said this is not a good option, noting how immunocompromised will bear the weight of reopening.