(Washington Insider Magazine) – After the announcement of schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, now Massachusetts and Michigan also warned of the mandatory use of masks in the face of the growing wave of infections.
Implementation of Masks in Schools
Due to the rise in cases of COVID-19 in the United States, more and more schools are implementing mask mandates as a method of prevention.
Before winter break, districts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania announced they would temporarily require masks among students and staff amid a surge in respiratory illnesses.
Now schools in Massachusetts and Michigan are following suit, while Chicago schools are asking students to take rapid tests before school starts.
Chelsea Public Schools in Boston announced in a letter to the community that the decision was due to Suffolk County being designated as “high risk” for COVID-19 transmission as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disease Prevention.
“As a result of this designation, Chelsea Public Schools will implement a mask mandate, effective this Monday, January 9,” Superintendent Dr. Almi G. Abeyta wrote in the letter.
“Masks must be worn in school buildings at all times, except when eating or drinking… Wearing will continue to be required for anyone visiting our school health offices and anyone returning to school after a quarantine five days after a positive COVID result,” he continued.
Meanwhile, the Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan said they would institute a two-week term beginning Monday, January 9, and ending on Friday, January 20.
In addition, the Chicago Public Schools announced that they are asking students and employees to take a rapid home test for COVID-19 before entering classrooms.
“To keep our school communities safe, please take a COVID test before returning to school,” the notice read.
“If you test positive, please report the positive test using the COVID-19 Self-Report Form and follow the guidance outlined on our safety page,” he reads.
CDC data shows that COVID-19 cases are increasing; in the last week they went from 309,253 for the week of November 30 to 470,699 for the week of January 4.
This article is authored by Armando Hernandez.
