Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Universal Mask Mandate in Schools
On Thursday, the Maryland State Board of Education voted in favor of a universal mask mandate for all students returning to public schools.
Do you agree with the Board’s decision? Why or why not?
Here’s what you said:
I absolutely agree with the universal mask mandate since so many parents seem to be incapable of leading by example to extinguish this virus. If so many right-leaning parents hadn't become drunk on the Kool-Aid, we would have beat this pandemic. Instead, we are ALL now looking down the face of another lock-down if things don't change. Shame on them all.
Cindy Davis, Annapolis
100% yes I agree that kids should wear masks in schools. I have four kids- they do not care about wearing masks, it is not a big deal to them. Just like wearing seat belts- they may not love it, but they understand it is for their safety. Until a majority of schoolchildren are vaccinated, masks make perfect, logical sense.
C. Harrison
I do not agree with requiring students to wear masks. Please wear one if you choose to but do not require it of everyone. Especially those who are vaccinated. This is government over-reach!
Jodie Gray, Stevensville
As a vaccinated parent of a 10 year old who can not yet be vaccinated, I absolutely agree with the mandate. We recently moved here from PA, my child attended school last year, 100% in person, all day, every day, "like normal" but with masks and attempts at distancing, etc, and we had a great year, no issues, and my child received the education she should have and had a well rounded school year - educationally, socially, mentally, emotionally, and physically. My kid will happily wear a mask so she can be in school and with friends and see here teacher in person. This isn't difficult, some folks just want to make it that way. We believe in science at our house, and facts, my kid's health isn't a game and has nothing to do with politics, we should be doing everything we can protect those who cannot be vaccinated...especially our kids. Why it would even be entertained to allow groups of non-vaccinated people together, inside, is just crazy to me. Most Maryland schools didn't even have in person last year, and now they were going to pretend like the pandemic is over, that’s crazy.
Holly DeKarske, Easton
Yes, I agree with the mask mandate in schools.
Marian Wachtel
I agree wholeheartedly. Many kids are too young to be vaccinated and we need to protect them (and their school staff) as much as possible. Being in in-person school is far more beneficial than any other alternative. It aligns with CDC and AAP recommendations. Most kids don't mind masks if it's what everyone else is doing or is required (like uniforms). School is healthy, and staying healthy is the number one priority for our kids.
Helen Prevas, Millersville
I disagree not because I don't believe this virus can be lethal, but because this is no longer a pandemic- c19 is endemic. We got the vaccine(s) and took many measures to "flatten the curve". Today, new variants come in and shake the ground so we're moving backwards. Just like the flu, this virus will keep mutating, and we need to adapt and overcome. The vaccine is not and will never be 100% (due to inevitable variations), masks aren't the cure or solution either, so... herd immunity. Let's get back to normal! Hiding in your house will not make you immune.
Kate W.
I do not agree with the mask mandate for children to wear in schools. I think that is too long for a child to wear a mask and studies have shown zero deaths with children who contact covid. Children need to go back to in class in schools and the mask will continue to hinder their learning abilities. This will cause another year of education lost for these kids.
Celine Repolt, Annapolis
Absolutely in favor of the mandate.
Don Elsey, Lewis
If 2020/21 has taught us anything it is the value of education. Parents demanding that their elementary school children should be able to attend public schools without masks sound like the most selfish population of people. The constitution grants us the right to an education but if people are choosing to not vaccinate themselves & want to send their children un-masked to school they are putting the rest of us at risk. This is a public safety issue that is not new - vaccines have been required for school & university instruction since I was born in 1980s. My brother died from Cystic Fibrosis at the age of 21 so stop telling us that your children can't be masked because "they can't breathe". If parents are not wanting their children to follow the rules of the county, the board of education & now our state board they have every right to home school or enroll them in a private school. The rest of us want our children in school 5 days a week so they can learn & will tell them to abide by the rules.
Emily Van Oudenaren, Arnold
NO to Mask mandates. Children are at virtually no risk to catching the virus and even if they do the symptoms have been moderate and quickly eliminated. The long term damage to children from isolation, depression, lack of social interaction and the risk of abuse is much greater and long lasting. Stop this nonsense.
Anthony Parkinson, Easton
Until we can get more people vaccinated and the virus under control masks need to be worn. My daughter is a teacher and her health and the students safety is necessary
Carol Lazer, Arnold
Masks should not be mandated, especially with children who are not at much risk if they get the flu. Masks for them are more harmful than good. They are not getting sufficient oxygen since they are also breathing in their own carbon dioxide. It would be good if we were told the true mortality rate among the people with risk factors such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, age, and those without those risk factors. We also know a lot more about treating people with Covid. I don't trust what we are being told by the government since they censor any opposing views even from very credible sources. They are also ignoring natural immunity from having had the flu.
Julia Simpson-Jones, Edgewater
I do not agree with any mask mandates. Especially do not agree with masking students.
Chris Urban, Annapolis
Mask mandates are wrong. Parents have the right to decide.
John Blauvelt
Sadly, it is necessary for the safety of all children, teachers, and staff as well as vulnerable people at home. The vaccination is not 100% and is not available for children under 12. Masks are essential as they are in all enclosed spaces where individuals from different households come together.
Lynne H., Edgewater
Kids are fine with masks, protects teachers & other family members. Small price to pay for schools to be open.
Jessica Gibson, Annapolis
No, I do not agree with the Board of Ed's decision to step in and impose a mask mandate in schools across the state. The push for masks is centered around 'the safety of the children' and 'following science."
So let's follow the science... this virus has a 99.6% survivability rate overall which is higher for kids under 18. Studies show that masks only stop 10% of particles. There is no scientific data to support any benefit of children wearing masks all day but plenty of data showing the harmful effects of prolonged mask wearing in terms of physical and psychological health.
This virus is not going away. We need to start learning to live with it instead of live in fear of it. I would much rather see schools promoting healthy choice by providing access to Vitamin D3, Vitamin C and Zinc--all of which have been shown to help ward off the virus unlike masks.
Aside from the science, I firmly believe that no government agency at any level has the right to dictate health decisions for me or my children thanks to the freedoms afforded to me in the Constitution. I find it curious that the sentiment 'My body, my choice' is not accepted in the mask argument.
Leave it optional and let everyone make the best choice for themselves. An unvaccinated, unmasked individual is placing themself in far greater danger then someone who is vaccinated and masked. We know vaccinated people can still get the virus, still transmit it yet are less likely to suffer serious health complications or death. You do you and let me do me (and my children).
Sadly, we live in an all or nothing society where differing opinions are no longer welcomed or tolerated. I will never be OK with being ‘forced’ into a health decision. In my opinion, the MD School Board grossly overstepped their bounds under the disguise of ‘safety.’
Tricia Wilson, Chester
Masking in schools is not a freedom of choice issue, it's a response to a major public health crisis. Mask mandates reduce the number of children and teachers affected by covid-19--hospitalized, ill, or quarantined. That’s why I support school mandates. I offer up the state of Florida as an example NOT to follow.
Mariann Drumm, Crofton
Absolutely agree with the school board's decision on universal masking. Children under 12 cannot yet be vaccinated and masks are one of the few mitigation measures they have. Cases of children getting COVID-19 and becoming seriously ill are on the rise across the country. Also, some of these children live with adults who are at high risk for COVID-19 or are immunocompromised.
Susan Miller, Bowie
This virus will be around for a long time, just like any other flu. We need to learn to deal with it. More harm in the long run will hurt students, etc... by having to wear masks and no having normal social activity
Susan Broussard, West River
There's nothing I would not do to keep our students and staff safe in school. Masks seem like a minor inconvenience when considering someone's death, or severe chronic illness.
Marie Gomba, Annapolis
I'd like to keep my comments anonymous, but I do agree with the State Board of Education's mask mandate. I've talked with friends in other states where there is no mask mandate, and one school shut down after only 11 days of in-person learning due to the rise in Covid-19 cases among staff and students. Another said "it's only a matter of time" until the same thing happens to her school district. Currently, 12% of teachers in that school district have active Covid-19 infections.
I am in favor of the mask mandate for several reasons:
1) I believe we are morally obligated to protect the vulnerable--those who are unable to be vaccinated due to age or health issues.
2) I believe that the limited protection that masking offers, along with other virus mitigating protocols, is more effective in limiting the spread of the virus than not wearing a mask or following other widely accepted protocols like distancing and washing your hands frequently.
3) I know that students are suffering academically and emotionally by conducting school virtually instead of in person. By implementing a mask mandate, it's more likely that there will be less community spread within the schools. It is my hope that this will allow for in person learning to occur for a longer period of time than what might otherwise occur.
4) The delta variant has been proven to be the most communicable of all the variants to date. Requiring masks takes the guesswork out of who and who isn't vaccinated and provides equal protection to both. This is a helpful, but limited, tool because the delta variant has a higher infection rate for both groups.
5) I do not subscribe that an individual's right is greater than the right of the whole in this case (or in the majority of instances, for that matter).
6) Finally, it is in the best interest of all to use every means necessary to combat this virus. Masking is just one of those.
Anonymous
I am in favor of a universal mask mandate in schools. Being a grandmother with several grandchildren who go to different schools, once schools open back up, if masks are not mandatory, I might have to stop my grands from visiting and/or sleeping over. This Delta variant doesn't care your age, income, status, race, etc. With that said, I also believe there should be a way where throughout the day, the students are allowed to go outside even if it's only 5 minutes between classes so that they can have an opportunity to take their mask off temporary and just ensure they are spaced at least 6 feet a part from each other. Will it mean once it gets colder, the students will most likely have to wear a heavier jacket or keep their coat nearby (vs. in a locker), yes, but I'm not sure the students will be able to concentrate with a mask on for 6+ hours straight. Either way, I do support the mask mandate!
Lynn W., Annapolis
Mask and vaccine are dangerous. Is like poison.
Lucky Dowell, Annapolis
