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school news
school news
LANSING — Michigan’s Board of Education has voted to allow local school districts to decide for themselves whether to mandate masks for students, teachers and visitors, according to the Associated Press.
Following an all-day meeting, the Democratic-majority board approved the resolution in a 5-2 vote on Tuesday, Aug. 10 that would permit local districts to make “scientifically informed decisions” about mask mandates.
The resolution comes on the heels of the state health department’s updated Covid-19 school guidance, which included universal indoor masking for all educators, staff, K-12 students and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. Those recommendations were then endorsed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration.
The Michigan Academy of Family Physicians released a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 12 urging mask requirements in Michigan schools this fall.
“As the new school year quickly approaches, Michigan’s family physicians strongly support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ guidance that all K-12 students and school personnel wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status,” said Dr. Srikar Reddy, president of the MAFP, in a news release. “Wearing a mask is essential for protecting those who can’t yet be vaccinated or are at higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization, or death from Covid-19 due to other conditions. MAFP urges school districts and private school leaders to adopt mask requirements based on federal, state, and public health guidance to protect Michigan youth.”
As of publication, neither Forest Park nor West Iron County school districts intend to mandate mask-wearing for the upcoming school year.
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration also released its own statement on Aug. 12 urging employers to implement face coverings for all employees and visitors, citing the more infections Delta variant as cause for concern.
“According to the CDC, the Delta variant is much more contagious, may infect those that have been vaccinated and may also allow vaccinated individuals to spread the virus,” stated a news release from MIOSHA. “Prior to Delta, the probability for vaccinated individuals to spread the virus was considered low.”