McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
McHenry High School's student-written and -edited newspaper

The McHenry Messenger
Though the public has sought guidance from the CDC throughout the pandemic, the organization's most recent guidance, which leaves choices up to individuals, does not adequately protect the public.

Opinion: New COVID guidance shows CDC’s unreliability, negligence

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer • August 19, 2022

After two years of guiding Americans through COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have seemingly given up on ensuring public safety. Though some chose not to follow previous guidance,...

Students leave the Upper Campus after school on Friday, some donning masks and some without. Masks have been optional at MCHS since the beginning of February when a state judge upheld a restraining order against Governor JB Pritzker's mask mandate in schools.

Masks‌ ‌no‌ ‌longer‌ ‌required‌ ‌in‌ ‌most‌ ‌public‌ ‌places‌ ‌in‌ ‌Illinois‌

Nikki Sisson, Marketing Director • February 28, 2022

As of February 28, masks will not be required in most Illinois indoor locations following Governor J.B. Pritzker’s decision to lift the mask mandate. COVID-19 positivity rates in Chicago are now at...

Though masks became optional at MCHS and other schools in the state on Feb. 7, this decision puts students, staff and the larger community at risk as the school continues to face COVID-19.

Opinion: Choose safety over comfort

Lydia Lawrence, Staff Writer • February 22, 2022

A student wearing a mask stumbles through the school halls that are full of students. Desperately trying to avoid contact with COVID-19 because of an ill family member at home, they become more worried...

Freshman Jazmine Argueta dons her mask while working on an assignment during AIM on Feb. 7 in room 413 at the Freshmen Campus. Starting today, Students are not required to wear masks in the building for the first time since the spring of 2020.

Masks recommended, no longer required at MCHS

Nikki Sisson, Marketing Director • February 7, 2022

As of Feb. 7, masks are optional at Illinois schools, including the Upper and Freshman Campuses. An email from District 156 Superintendent Ryan McTague states, “On Friday, a court ruling in Springfield...

After an unprecedented school year in 2020-21, many students were hoping to ditch mask-wearing this year. Though a September protest planned at MCHS was poorly attended, others might be planned later in the school year.

The protest that wasn’t

Vanessa Moreno, Staff Writer • September 29, 2021

An MCHS student opens up their Snapchat on September 9 to a story shared by their classmate. A student was planning to protest the use of masks at Upper Campus. Some students showed their support for the...

Before the pandemic, wearing a mask when you are sick was already normal in many countries, especially in Asia. As mask restrictions ease up for vaccinated people, it's time to make mask wearing normal in the United States as well.

Editorial: Normalize masks

Editorial Board • May 18, 2021

Everyone gets sick at one point or another. But, not everyone can deal with it the same way. In East Asia, when a person gets sick, they take care of themselves and cover their mouth and nose with a mask...

Morgan Sellek catches a throw at second base during a varsity softball game at West Campus on April 14. Softball players are among those who are allowed to play without masks, according to guidance from the IHSA.

IHSA lifts mask restrictions for some sports

Mackenzie Sroka, Staff Writer • May 17, 2021

As the runner makes the final lap around the track they push to get in front of the other runners. She breathes hard and thinks about finishing the race with a win. After the race while she cools down,...

Though teachers at MCHS report that most students are wearing the masks correctly in their classroom, many students report that it has become a problem in the hallways — and data provided by administration seems to verify that student mask use has become worse since spring break.

Is mask use slipping?

Alayna Majkrzak, Staff Writer • May 5, 2021

The halls are crowded as students walk in, seeing their friends from the other half of the alphabet for the first time in almost a year. Spirits are high until they walk into class and see students with...

The CDC has begun to recommend double masking as the pandemic rages on. The dual layers offer more protection against Covid-19.

CDC recommends continued mask use, double-masking

Joe Ndu, Staff Writer • March 9, 2021

The CDC authorized new recommendations regarding the use of masks and how people should use shift to double masking in order to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. These recommendations have come as part...

As social distancing continues — and supplies dwindle — health experts and politicians debate whether or not face covering should be required in public — or if they prevent catching the virus at all.

Take cover

Chase Creech, Staff Writer • April 24, 2020

When people have to leave their homes, go to the grocery store or pick up dinner, their fear of contracting COVID-19 is real. Many do keep their distance, but most still don’t wear masks. All it takes...

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