Still no Hofstra mask mandate amidst COVID-19 surge
BY: ALEXA MCNULTY AND URVI GANDHI
Your insider guide to the Hofstra Pride. What students really need to know.
Know something we don’t? Want us to investigate? Wanna join The Clocktower team? DM us @HofClocktower on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, or drop us a line at HofstraClocktower@gmail.com.
Despite student outcry, Hofstra has not re-adopted a mask mandate – except at graduation.
Due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases on campus, President Poser made an email announcement on Monday, May 9, declaring masks will be required at graduation for all guests. The policies are informed by local, state and federal guidelines. More information will be released soon.
The full text of the email read:
“As COVID case counts have risen rapidly in Nassau County and across the Northeast over the past 14 days, and as we approach the end of the semester and exam week, we again remind and encourage you to wear masks indoors in all public settings.
“Masks will be required for all commencements although graduating students who are vaccinated and have received a booster will be permitted to remove their masks as they cross the stage.
“Thank you for helping to keep our community healthy as we complete the academic year.”
Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases have increased rapidly.
Cases of COVID-19 have skyrocketed since the end of Hofstra’s mask mandate, totaling 46 positives for the week ending Friday, May 6.
This week saw the highest positivity rate so far for the semester. There were more positive cases during last week’s reporting period than there were during the entire month of February. Almost 20% of the 232 cases since the start of the spring semester occurred this week – and over one-third of all cases this semester occurred within the last two weeks.
The Pride Pantry is open for students facing food insecurity.
The end of a semester means many students start running low on meal points. The Pride Pantry has a variety of nonperishable food items available to Hofstra students, staff and faculty in need.
The pantry is located in Room 205 of the Wellness and Campus Living Center, next to Student Health Services. It is only accessible by appointment, which can be made by emailing PridePantry@hofstra.edu. Those seeking to donate non-perishables and other items listed on the website can also do so in the building.
