The Post and Courier ran the following article “SC educators say absence of masks, social distancing threatens in-person classes this fall” to highlight the challenges many schools are facing. Senior and Medical Humanities minor Maddie Gies is quoted in the article and shares her concerns:

Gies, who lives in downtown Charleston, said she’s felt discouraged and frustrated by the lack of masks she sees being worn on King Street and other public spaces near the heart of the college’s campus. Based off what she’s seen on social media, many of her friends are continuing to socialize as normal.

“I would love nothing more than to go out right now, but I can’t,” Gies said. “It’s just kind of hurtful because it makes me feel like I’m wasting my time or like you’re not taking it seriously or I’m having to sacrifice and you’re not. It’s just like a slow build of just seeing those things.”

Gies, who is studying special education, also worries that the spread of the virus will impact her ability to get in-person student teaching experience in the classroom this year.

At least two of the five classes she’s registered for in the fall have already been switched to take place solely online, she said, causing her to consider putting her studies on hold for a semester.

“It’s not just my senior year. It’s your kid going to school. It really affects everyone. And I don’t think people are realizing that,” she said.

Since the article ran, the College released the Back on the Bricks plan for fall.