As the new school year approaches, districts in Florida and Texas are grappling with the challenge of safeguarding unvaccinated students amid a spike in COVID-19 cases. Without the ability to enforce mask mandates due to bans from their governors, these districts face significant hurdles in protecting children under 12, who are not yet eligible for vaccination.
Public health authorities, including the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, are advocating for universal mask-wearing among students, regardless of their vaccination status. However, staff in eight of the largest school districts—six in Florida (Miami-Dade, Duval, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, and Palm Beach) and two in Texas (Dallas and Houston)—are unable to require masks due to prohibitions set by Republican governors Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott. This leaves many unvaccinated students vulnerable as they prepare to return to the classroom. Currently, Florida ranks first and Texas third in the nation for COVID-19 cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
In contrast, several of the remaining larger districts are shifting their policies to make masks mandatory in light of the rising infections driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant. For example, Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia has updated its policy to require masks for all students, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, when classes resume next week. The school district emphasized the importance of masks in keeping students safe and minimizing disruptions to in-person learning.
The three largest school districts in the U.S.—New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago—are implementing mask requirements, as are other significant districts across the country, including Clark County in Nevada, schools in Philadelphia, Fairfax County in Virginia, and more. It is crucial that all districts consider adopting similar measures to protect students under 12 and those who have yet to be fully vaccinated.
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Summary
Eight of the largest school districts in Florida and Texas cannot enforce mask mandates due to state bans, leaving unvaccinated students at risk as they return to school amid rising COVID-19 cases. While some districts are implementing mandatory mask policies, the situation underscores the ongoing challenges of safeguarding children in the current health climate.