In my case, at least.

I was full of gleeful anticipation as I packed up everything and drove back to college to begin my 3rd year as a junior. I, like many other college students, looked forward to seeing my friends, commencing my studies for yet another year, and arguing about philosophy while on a caffeinated high until 3 A.M. (I'm certain that was just me.)

But I also understood that the pandemic would play a visible role in campus life for the foreseeable future. And yet, I was hoping that role would be secondary to my overall experience.

Perhaps the occasional seminar on elementary hygienic practices; or maybe weekly updates from the administration on the status of COVID's spread among our campus community. Perhaps readily available hand sanitizer. And perhaps, even, the ability to engage in distance learning if afflicted by the virus. 

But reality had other plans.

The moment I arrived on campus, I saw large orange pamphlets posted on every building with the phrase "MASKS REQUIRED" printed in bold letters. Even my residence hall for this year succumbed to such nannying with a similarly stark ultimatum: Enter with a mask or not at all. Furthermore, all students were required to obtain some form of testing before returning to campus. 

Although testing is sensible, the mask mandates and the culture the message they send are not, especially for a college campus. 

As the MayoClinic reported, masks can help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 from those already infected. But there's no evidence that masks actually prevent COVID infection beyond that particular instance. Yet, masks are being exalted as the prime defense against an invisible enemy, and those who question their effectiveness are deemed insane.