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As a parent living in Florida, I can honestly say that it’s exhausting. The constant shifts surrounding mask mandates have left me feeling like I have whiplash. At the start of the school year, a mask requirement seemed completely off the table, especially since Governor Parker had issued an executive order on June 30 to ban any such mandates. He even threatened to withhold salaries from school board members who dared to defy this order.
In my area of Coastal County, this meant that when many of us reached out to school board members asking for a district-wide mask mandate, we were met with responses like, “Sorry, we can’t do anything!” We tried our best to promote the effectiveness of masks, hoping that most parents would choose to mask their kids voluntarily. Unfortunately, anti-science sentiments and conspiracy theories are prevalent here.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that nearly everyone at my daughter’s elementary school registration day was wearing a mask, except for two adults — one of whom was proudly donning a “Parents for Freedom” T-shirt. This group, founded by a former local official, has since gained national traction, opposing not only mask mandates but also advocating against LGBTQ rights. It’s disheartening to see such negativity flourish.
On August 6, a group of parents advocating for mask mandates took legal action against the state, arguing that the ban violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. Their lawsuit highlighted that their children, who have disabilities, are at higher risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19, and that the state’s prohibition on safety measures is unjust. The attorneys representing these parents asserted, “If kids with disabilities can’t attend school safely, then no one can.”
On September 8, a judge ruled that school districts could enforce their mask policies while the case was reviewed. This decision allowed our local school board to implement a temporary mask mandate, which we hoped would be renewed.
However, just two days later, an appeals court sided with Governor Parker, reinstating his ban. Consequently, many parents celebrated as their kids returned to school without masks. I was left confused when I received both a text and an email reminding us that the mask mandate was still in effect. It’s exhausting, to say the least.
Simultaneously, the Department of Education announced an investigation to determine if the governor’s order violates the ADA. They’re also looking into similar situations in other states. It’s worth noting that Governor Parker has indeed withheld salaries from school board members who supported mask mandates, with some districts facing significant financial penalties. Thankfully, the federal government has stepped in to cover these lost wages.
As it stands, masks are still required in my district. My 11-year-old daughter is likely to be eligible for vaccination in October, which we’re hopeful about. Until then, I find myself stressed and frustrated by the political circus in our state, especially when so many prioritize their “freedom” over the safety of others.
Governor Parker argues that his actions are justified under a new law meant to protect parental rights, suggesting that the decision to mask children should rest solely with parents. However, what’s often missing from these discussions is the scientific evidence that underscores the necessity of safety measures.
The idea that mask mandates infringe on parental rights is misguided. What about the rights of parents with children at greater risk? Their concerns seem to be overlooked, showing a troubling tendency among anti-mask advocates to disregard the safety of others.
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