Every Titan has heard the phrase “safety is our number one priority” at some point in their lives. So why are Titans forgetting this when it comes to the global pandemic we face on a daily basis?

This year alone, in 2021, there has been a huge surge in COVID- 19 cases; including within our Titan community. As of Jan 18, there have been 1750 cases in Poway, contributing to a total number of 216,835 cases in San Diego County. 

These numbers have gotten out of hand, and the Iliad staff believes that we need to remind ourselves of how important it really is to wear a mask in the presence of others. 

Our school was planning on reopening Jan. 19, however that didn’t happen due to the sheer number of cases popping up in our community. Although they have pushed back the start date to February (or later if we do not move out of the purple tier), it is unlikely that we will be able to reopen; unless people start listening to COVID guidelines and wear their masks.

We understand that wearing a mask may not be comfortable, or cute enough for your Instagram posts, however it has come to a point where something must be said. When you don’t wear a mask, you are putting the lives of yourself, your peers, and their families at risk. 

If everyone participates in consistent mask wearing, everyone will be protected, and our lives will be able to go back to a more normal way of living, a lot sooner. As Nike says, just do it.