Parents and students are somewhat split on what they want to do
Sacramento (Courtesy Wikipedia)Sacramento, California (Times Media Service) – The date most everyone has been waiting for has arrived: California will no longer require masks in schools after March 11, from new guidance for the California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.
The governors of California, Oregon and Washington have now announced that masks would be strongly recommended instead of mandating them. Many school districts may continue to have alternative requirements that are beyond the state minimums, requirements that each district will decide on individually.
In a news conference Monday, CHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said, “We are really moving from required masking to a strong recommendation at a time when I know a lot of jurisdictions are going to look to the state and our evidence to support a decision, to continue masking in some parts of our communities… There is clear evidence that masks do help and reduce transmission.”
Los Angeles County, San Diego Unified, Sweetwater Union High School District, and San Francisco Unified along with many others, do not plan to change their indoor mask policies. Nevada Joint Union High School District, Rancho Santa Fe Unified School District, Roseville Joint Union High School District along with other across the state have made a stand that masking is up to individual choice.
However, most school districts in California are self-insured, through some type of Joint Power Authority that uses large umbrella policies to cover large losses. The different insurance authorities have spoken out and told many of the school district that they may not be covered if they decide to not enforce the state masking mandate. But as the days count down to March 12, these conversations may not matter.
Parents and students are somewhat split on what they want to do or who should still wear the masks. Districts are hearing of shaming between teacher to teacher, teacher to student and student to student that is creating divides and conflicts in many schools.
No matter where the public stands, it is evident that March 11 is just one the step forward to getting our schools back to what they should be doing: teaching kids.
Robert Stine / Editor Writer (Time Media Service)
rstine@timesmediaservice.com
