The California state legislature has passed a bill that will allow schools in LA County to opt out of the mandate. This is great news for students and teachers who didn’t want to expose their kids or themselves to this risk.
On January 1, 2018, California’s mandatory school mask law will be lifted. This means that students in the state of California will no longer be required to wear a face covering while at school. The law has been controversial due to the fact that it was implemented without any public input and many believe it infringes on student’s rights.
(CBSLA) – LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – The statewide school mask ban will be repealed in roughly two weeks, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom.
On Feb. 16, 2022, in Maywood, Calif., students listen to LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho speak at the Maywood Center For Enriched Studies Magnet school. (Getty Images/Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)
Beginning March 12, the governor stated that students and workers at K-12 schools and childcare facilities would no longer be required to wear masks statewide.
Newsom said in a statement that “California continues to change its policies based on the latest facts and research, leveraging what we’ve learned over the last two years to guide our response to the epidemic.” “Masks, particularly when transmission rates are high, are an excellent tool for limiting the spread of the virus and subsequent versions.” We can’t anticipate the virus’s future, but we’re better prepared for it now, and we’ll maintain taking science-based steps to keep California going ahead.”
Individual school districts and counties will still be able to impose higher standards if they so want.
Some parents were opposed to the removal of the mask requirement in schools.
Sandra Lopez, a parent, said, “I simply don’t feel comfortable.”
Others in the Inland Empire, on the other hand, said they support the new statewide policy on Monday.
Garrett McGroarty, a Norco High School student, stated, “I’m pleased.” “Recently, there have been a lot of demonstrations. I’m glad they’re removing it. The youngsters who prefer to wear masks may still do so.”
Beginning March 12, L.A. County Public Health will link school masking procedures with state standards and highly urge indoor masking requirements for childcare centers and K-12 schools.
“School districts may continue to require masking at schools and during school activities,” the department said in a statement. “School districts are encouraged to consult with teachers, staff, parents, and students as they consider the appropriate safety protections for their school community, recognizing that many individuals may want to continue additional protections.”
“At tomorrow’s Board of Supervisors meeting, we will assess any future state guideline revisions and offer a report on any improvements to LA County safety measures.”
On March 12, the states of Oregon and Washington will likewise repeal their school mask laws.
In addition, starting Tuesday, unvaccinated people would no longer be compelled to wear masks in most indoor public places, according to Newsom.
In the meantime, whether individuals are vaccinated or not, masks will be needed in healthcare facilities, public transit, airports, prisons, homeless shelters, and nursing homes.
“I believe we’re all very well in agreement that it’s suitable to take masks off, and safe for a lot of people,” UC Berkeley infectious disease specialist Dr. John Swartzberg told CBSLA. “It’s really a matter of, is it now, or is it in a couple of weeks.”
In the last two months, three Orange County children have died of Omicron.
This comes after California dropped mask restrictions for persons who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 in most indoor public venues, including as restaurants and retail establishments, on Feb. 16. On Friday, Los Angeles County eased its own limits.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, California’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, indicated at the time that the state would maintain the mask requirement in place in schools while it examined the situation. Ghaly was supposed to conduct a press conference at 1 p.m. on Monday.
The problem of school disguising has sparked debate among parents, teachers, and kids alike. According to a recent UC Berkeley survey, 60 percent of individuals favor the school mask rule, while 37 percent oppose it.
Sandra Lopez, whose 4-year-old son attends Sylmar Elementary, said, “I don’t believe it’s safe to wear the mask regulation yet.” “He might be infected with COVID at any moment.”
Lopez has two additional children under the age of five, preventing them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. The teachers’ union in Los Angeles concurred with Lopez, feeling it was too soon to remove masks.
In a statement, United Teachers of Los Angeles stated, “It is premature to talk eliminating these health and safety safeguards when there are still many unvaccinated youngsters in our early education programs and schools.”
Other parents, including as Christina Estrada, backed the repeal of the mask law.
She said, “I mean, it’s hot.” “They are more capable of learning. They may concentrate to the point of squirming on their faces. I’ll be glad if the mask requirement in schools is repealed.”
Individual school districts should be able to decide on mask standards, according to L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
“I believe it is critical to allow them to develop rules that are tailored to the needs of their school system,” she added. “There’s no doubt about that.” It won’t be a one-size-fits-all approach.”
In response to the problem, the superintendent of the Tehachapi Unified School District in Kern County stated that all of her schools will shut on Feb. 25 and urged that the governor allow parents to choose whether or not their children wear masks at school.
The second-largest school district in the country, the Los Angeles Unified School District, dropped outside mask regulations on its campuses last week. The LAUSD’s reaction to the governor’s recent decree is unknown.
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