The Juneau School District says the children must remain masked, because of the science. This, while across the country schools have made masking optional. The latest was the Montgomery County Public Schools, the largest school district in Maryland, which ended its mask mandate immediately today. Even the Democrat-run state of Hawaii has ended its mask mandate.
In a message on March 3 from the Juneau School District, capital city parents learned, “Masks, or similar facial coverings designed to mitigate COVID-19 transmission and are well-fitted covering the mouth and nose, are required for all persons indoors in Juneau School District facilities. Masks are optional for staff, students, and visitors while outside on District grounds. The Superintendent has the authority to grant minor exceptions/adjustments to this policy that are consistent with CDC guidelines for in building operations and at District sponsored events outside or offsite.”
The note to parents said that there are some exceptions/adjustments are currently in place for indoor student activities using testing protocols to provide for optional use of masks for participating students.
“As part of our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff, we work closely with Juneau Public Health and the City and Borough of Juneau. We have followed the recommendations of the CDC and are aware of the recent change in guidance for mask wearing in schools. The Board of Education is considering this recommendation along with our existing mitigation strategies and the current impact of COVID in schools. Our number one commitment is keeping schools open for in person learning. The School Board is considering the balance of all things related and input received. With spring break just around the corner and the likelihood of many staff and families traveling, this is also a consideration,” Superintendent Bridget Weiss wrote.
“It is important to take time to assess our needs and any changes in protocols. We have evolved throughout this pandemic and made changes along the way when it was deemed appropriate. The School Board has already received input from many – some wanting masks optional and some requesting to hold onto the mask requirement through the remainder of the year. The Mask Policy will be on the Board’s agenda Tuesday, March 8th during their regular board meeting,” she wrote.
The Juneau School superintendent, while arguing that masks work in the Juneau schools, also seems to say they don’t work, with 177 cases of Covid in January, and 144 cases in February in the schools — a total of 321 cases in a fully masked school district in 59 days. That is 7 percent of the student body of the Juneau School District, or 6 percent of students, teachers, and staff.
“This is a ‘good problem to have’. This is an uncomfortable and complex time. While cases are decreasing, they are still more than we have seen in other times. In January, we saw a minimum of 177 COVID cases inside our schools and in February there were 144. Change is disruptive. Closing schools is extraordinarily difficult. We have managed to stay open since January 2021 when we returned to in person learning. That is our highest priority,” Weiss wrote. She then linked a survey to get public opinion on whether the mask policy should continue.
On Tuesday night, the school board took public testimony about the mask policy. The testimony from parents and teachers, made via Zoom to the masked board members, was mixed. Some parents want the masks to remain mandatory, arguing that they work while others said it is child abuse and is stunting the development of the children.
“Juneau is becoming an anomaly,” said one parent, citing the fact that all over the country masks are now optional.
The school board will take up the matter again on Thursday at noon and will take more public testimony.
