A Florida school district has revised its mask policy after a chiropractor signed numerous exemptions, raising concerns about their validity. Initially, the Sarasota County School Board mandated masks for all students in August but allowed medical exemptions. However, by September 1, they clarified that exemptions must be signed by a licensed medical doctor or registered nurse practitioner.
The Issue with Exemptions
The issue arose when Dr. Steve Rivers, a chiropractor, signed off on hundreds of exemption letters for students. Despite his title, he lacks the medical qualifications to evaluate respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. The school district ultimately rejected approximately 650 forms, primarily attributed to Rivers. Although he stated his evaluations were within his professional scope, many questioned the appropriateness of a chiropractor’s expertise in this context.
Rivers defended his actions, asserting they were rooted in the parents’ freedom to choose, and he reportedly did not charge for signing the forms.
Next Steps for Parents
Parents who sought exemptions were given time to obtain valid documentation from a medical doctor. The ongoing debate over mask mandates in Florida schools has been contentious, with the governor attempting to prohibit such mandates altogether. Rivers is not facing criminal charges, but a complaint has been filed against him with the state’s health department by a concerned healthcare practitioner, highlighting the lack of qualifications required for issuing these exemptions.
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Conclusion
In summary, the Sarasota County School District has tightened its mask exemption policy following the revelation that a chiropractor had signed hundreds of exemption letters. The situation raises questions about the qualifications needed for such exemptions and the ongoing debate about mask mandates in Florida schools.