Delta variant, vaccine passports, mask mandates, oh my! It’s the start of another school year and the official information coming out about COVID-19 is confusing. Plus, it doesn’t help that the information we’ve received from public-health authorities appears influenced more by politics than science.
On March 1, 2020, for example, U.S. Surgeon General, Jerome Adams, tweeted that for the general public masks are, “not effective in preventing” COVID and “Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS!”
Then it came out that no, masks help, but Dr. Anthony Fauci, in his infinite wisdom, purposefully lied about their effectiveness so that doctors wouldn’t run out.
Now, officials tell us the Delta variant is raging; vaccines help prevent serious illness — maybe — and everyone 2 and older should wear a mask. So, what’s going to happen this school year? And what should you keep an eye on as the year progresses?
To Mask or Not to Mask in Schools
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommend that all students age 2 or older wear a mask in school, regardless of vaccine status (as of this writing, only those 12 and older are eligible for vaccines).
However, Colorado’s statewide school-based health orders are expired, and Gov. Polis said he doesn’t plan to institute another unless in-person learning is at risk or Colorado’s hospitals are at risk of being overwhelmed. Instead, each district can adopt policies based on what it thinks is best for students and staff. Consequently, mask mandates vary across Colorado school districts.
On July 23, I received the following email from Russ Sojourner, The Classical Academy’s president, about TCA’s plans for the 2021-2022 school year:
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has made it clear that the ultimate decision-making should rest at the local level, as we know and have learned what’s best for the holistic well-being of our students and staff. Accordingly, while we’ll stay deeply cognizant of recommendations and guidelines made by national, state, and local health agencies. We will also institute the protocols that maximize the benefits to our community. Our guiding principles will continue to be health, safety, and … normalcy.
The email explains that because TCA is free to make their guidelines, it will no longer require masks and social distancing. Further, public gatherings will resume “without concerns or limits on numbers of individuals sharing the same spaces.” However, TCA will still follow enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures, and those who test positive for COVID must quarantine for 10 days.
TCA’s approach is the same as other schools in District 20. The exceptions are Douglass Valley Elementary School and Air Academy High School, which are located on Air Force Academy proper and therefore must follow the mask mandates implemented by the academy.
Denver Public Schools in District 1 are taking a decidedly different approach and are mandating masks for everyone, regardless of age or vaccine status. Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero states, “for now, we believe this mask requirement for all students and staff is the right thing to do for the health and safety of our community.”
Lewis Palmer School District 38 is not mandating masks inside buildings regardless of vaccine status but recommends them. It’s also not enforcing social distancing. However, if someone shows signs of illness and tests positive for COVID, they must quarantine for at least 10 days. School buses require masks while riding on the bus.
Boulder Valley School District 2, conversely, is requiring masks for everyone ages 2 and up, “In accordance with Center for Disease Control and American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, starting August 10, 2021, Boulder County Public Health Order 2021-07 requires that all individuals aged 2 and older wear a face covering whenever inside a school building, childcare facility, or participating in youth activities indoors.”
If you think you see a pattern in the above, you’re correct: school districts in more conservative areas like El Paso are generally not requiring masks, while school districts in more liberal areas typically are. Communities with an even split are taking a middle-of-the-road approach. For example, Pueblo, which leans slightly liberal, is not requiring facemasks as of this writing, but it’s strongly encouraged.
What to Watch for Over the Coming School Year
Information coming out regarding COVID often seems politically influenced. As such, the responses to COVID have become political, too. This is seen in how schools are approaching the 21-22 school year when it comes to COVID protocols.
If you live in a liberal district, you and your kids will likely have to wear a mask at school. If you live in a conservative district, you’ll probably see fewer restrictions, including no mask mandates.
However, if Delta causes COVID rates to increase to the point where hospitals are struggling, or there’s a significant outbreak in schools, then Gov. Polis will likely step in and mandate a statewide mask policy. Over the past year, Gov. Polis has typically followed the guidelines of the CDC very closely, so that gives us a good indication of how he’ll act during the upcoming year.
Always a good idea to stay abreast of the changes within your school district. Mask mandates can change quickly.
