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First, we had the CDC releasing some perplexing new guidelines. Many Americans overlooked the specifics and began removing their masks in droves, irrespective of their locations or vaccination status (just to clarify, only fully vaccinated individuals, including children, should be ditching the masks). This led several Republican governors, such as those from South Carolina and Texas—no surprise there—to enact orders making mask-wearing optional in schools. With children under twelve still unable to get vaccinated and older kids not fully immune by the end of the school year, teachers are now allowed to unmask regardless of their vaccination status. “It’s absurd for school districts to dictate whether or not a child should wear a mask in class; that’s a decision for parents to make,” states Governor Mike Anderson of South Carolina. However, with only around 36% of the state’s population fully vaccinated, many teachers remain at risk, potentially spreading COVID-19. Now is certainly not the time to remove masks from our children, Anderson.
Against CDC Recommendations
In bold, clear letters atop their guidelines for school reopening, the CDC states, “IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR SCHOOLS: The CDC recommends schools continue to use the current COVID-19 prevention strategies for the 2020-2021 school year.” Among these strategies is the “universal and correct use of masks.” The CDC’s message is unmistakable: making masks optional is a bad idea.
Their March data analyzed COVID-19 cases among students in Florida and found that “school-related disease incidence” was highest in districts without mandatory mask requirements. They concluded that “success” in preventing transmission within schools relies heavily on controlling community spread and adhering to mitigation measures, especially masking. They also suggested postponing events like sports where masking isn’t feasible, emphasizing the importance of masks in keeping students and staff safe.
Another CDC study revealed that mask usage in schools reduced COVID-19 incidence by 37%. The findings indicate that “until vaccines are available for children under 12, universal and correct mask use is a critical prevention strategy that schools must prioritize, regardless of vaccination status.” This is scientifically backed evidence from one of the world’s leading health organizations. So why are we even discussing the option of going mask-free in schools again? Ah yes, freedom. Texas Governor Greg Baker argues, “We can continue to mitigate COVID-19 while upholding Texans’ liberty to choose whether or not to wear masks.” Sadly, some Republicans are politicizing masks: the notion that individuals should be free to contract and spread COVID-19 without government interference is baffling.
Going Mask-Optional Isn’t About Freedom
Dr. Sarah Johnson, a pediatric infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins, explains it to NPR like this: “It’s akin to allowing someone to drive 55 mph if they feel safe, while another person thinks they can safely drive 90 mph. Their choice could endanger you.” It’s crucial for everyone to wear masks to ensure safety. We can’t just toss caution aside for political reasons and see what happens.
What happens, according to all available research, is an uptick in COVID-19 cases linked to schools. Lawrence Thompson at Rutgers University’s Institute for Health Policy and Aging Research asserts, “It seems premature to say it’s safe to have kids in an environment where they are inhaling the breath of potentially infected individuals.” He personally wouldn’t send his daughter to a mask-optional school.
Katelyn Smith, an epidemiologist who blogs at Your Local Epidemiologist, succinctly states: Masks are effective. She also mentions, “Epidemiologists can’t help when our solutions aren’t embraced… Good luck? May the odds be ever in your favor? Long live freedom?”
Kids Can Spread COVID-19
According to Harvard Medical School, a study published in The Journal of Pediatrics found that COVID-19-infected children, even those without symptoms, carry significant viral loads. Lead researcher Dr. Sam Davis noted, “I was surprised by the high levels of the virus we detected in children of all ages, particularly within the first two days of infection.”
By moving to a mask-optional policy in schools, we allow kids to share germs freely, potentially bringing the virus back home to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, immunocompromised, or those unable to be vaccinated.
And this isn’t an isolated finding. A South Korean study demonstrated that older children—tweens and teens—are more likely to transmit the virus than younger children or adults. They spread it among themselves and then bring it home, potentially endangering those who cannot be vaccinated, making mask-optional policies before children are vaccinated a sure way to increase community transmission.
“As we have seen throughout this pandemic, the tragic consequences of mixing politics with public health decisions are clear. The push to go mask-optional seems politically motivated—removing life-saving requirements that are designed to protect lives. The evidence shows that masks are effective,” states Dr. Lisa Green, a pediatrics professor at the University of Colorado and vice-chair of the Committee on Infectious Diseases for the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Ultimately, despite the confusing CDC guidelines and the proclamations from certain governors, now is not the moment to abandon mask mandates in schools. The pandemic is still ongoing. Let’s set aside the rhetoric about freedom and prioritize the health and safety of our children.
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Summary:
The recent shift to mask-optional policies in schools raises significant health concerns, especially considering the CDC’s strong recommendations for continued mask use. With many children still unvaccinated and studies indicating that children can spread the virus, the decision to unmask poses risks not just to students and teachers, but also to vulnerable populations at home. Public health experts caution against politicizing mask mandates, emphasizing the need for protective measures in schools.
Keyphrase: mask-optional policies in schools
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