Guidance for Masks in Schools Differs Widely Across US
2020-07-29
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1School districts in the United States that plan to reopen in the autumn are struggling with whether to require teachers and students to wear face coverings.
2The issue has divided schools in both cities and rural areas, resulting in widely different safety guidelines.
3The divide has been influenced by politics in some areas, such as the Midwestern state of Iowa.
4Democratic-leaning cities like Des Moines and Iowa City have required face masks to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
5But smaller, more conservative communities have left the decision to parents.
6Mike McGrory heads the Ottumwa school district in Iowa's southeast corner, with 4,700 students.
7He told the Associated Press: "You have to be very sensitive and realize there are lots of perspectives."
8McGrory said it would have been easier if state health officials had issued exact rules.
9But when that did not happen, the district decided to back the state Education Department's guidance not to require masks.
10Many states are calling for teachers to wear masks, including Alaska, Connecticut, California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Utah and Washington.
11Some will require masks for students.
12Many other states are leaving the decision to local officials.
13Rob Murphy is a doctor and infectious disease expert at Northwestern University in Chicago.
14He said from a medical perspective, it should be an easy choice: Wear a mask in school.
15Schools should take other steps, too, including reducing class sizes, limiting contact sports and testing students and teachers before they enter school buildings, Murphy said.
16But he added that a first and necessary step should be a mask requirement. Murphy called the current lack of direction a "no plan plan."
17"It's all over the place," Murphy said.
18"There's nobody at the wheel."
19Even among health experts, there are disagreements.
20Many districts point to a recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
21The organization suggests that school officials urge the use of face coverings, without making it a requirement.
22The group said its recommendation is based on the need for students to return to school and the fact that coverings can affect learning for some children.
23The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that students and teachers wear masks whenever possible.
24Other countries where schools have reopened have not required all students to wear face coverings.
25In France, public schools reopened briefly before a summer break, with no sign of widespread virus spread.
26Face coverings were only required for older students, but students stayed in the same classroom all day.
27In Norway, preschools reopened first, followed by others.
28Children were put in smaller groups that stayed together all day.
29Face coverings were not required.
30Iowa's largely rural Western Dubuque Community School District will let students and their parents choose.
31Superintendent Rick Colpitts has heard the arguments for face coverings, but he also hears from people who are opposed.
32"It's a lose-lose situation," Colpitts said.
33"We tried to take the political piece out of it, but there's no way to make everyone happy."
34Iowa is among many states that have left the face covering decision to local school officials.
35The state's Education Department's recommendation against a mask requirement was based on the idea that a requirement would lead to many more questions.
36This includes questions about what face coverings are acceptable, how the rules would be enforced and what exceptions could be made.
37"There are just so many things that go into it," Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, said in explaining why she opposes a school mask requirement.
38"If somebody wears the same mask for seven days without ... washing it or changing it out, is it actually doing what it's supposed to be doing? Who's going to monitor that?"
39To Lily Eskelsen Garcia, president of the National Education Association, the lack of mask requirements and other safety rules will create serious problems.
40Claire Hanson teaches in North Liberty, Iowa.
41She agrees with concerns that face coverings would be hard for young children but thinks it is still the best choice.
42"Do you understand how resilient children are? It's not a mask of terror. They will get through it," Hanson said.
43In Connecticut, officials have said they expect to include "mask breaks" throughout the day, especially for special-needs students.
44Schools also must provide masks for students who do not have one.
45DeAnna Strethers' youngest daughter attends high school in State Center, Iowa.
46She said she understands parents who want to make their own decisions.
47"I'm not a big government type of person. I do not like my government telling me that you have to do this or can't do that," she said.
48"But personally, I think masks are smart."
49I'm Pete Musto.
1School districts in the United States that plan to reopen in the autumn are struggling with whether to require teachers and students to wear face coverings. 2The issue has divided schools in both cities and rural areas, resulting in widely different safety guidelines. 3The divide has been influenced by politics in some areas, such as the Midwestern state of Iowa. Democratic-leaning cities like Des Moines and Iowa City have required face masks to limit the spread of the coronavirus. But smaller, more conservative communities have left the decision to parents. 4Mike McGrory heads the Ottumwa school district in Iowa's southeast corner, with 4,700 students. He told the Associated Press: "You have to be very sensitive and realize there are lots of perspectives." 5McGrory said it would have been easier if state health officials had issued exact rules. But when that did not happen, the district decided to back the state Education Department's guidance not to require masks. 6Many states are calling for teachers to wear masks, including Alaska, Connecticut, California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Utah and Washington. Some will require masks for students. Many other states are leaving the decision to local officials. 7Rob Murphy is a doctor and infectious disease expert at Northwestern University in Chicago. He said from a medical perspective, it should be an easy choice: Wear a mask in school. 8Schools should take other steps, too, including reducing class sizes, limiting contact sports and testing students and teachers before they enter school buildings, Murphy said. But he added that a first and necessary step should be a mask requirement. Murphy called the current lack of direction a "no plan plan." 9"It's all over the place," Murphy said. "There's nobody at the wheel." 10Even among health experts, there are disagreements. Many districts point to a recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The organization suggests that school officials urge the use of face coverings, without making it a requirement. The group said its recommendation is based on the need for students to return to school and the fact that coverings can affect learning for some children. 11The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that students and teachers wear masks whenever possible. 12Other countries where schools have reopened have not required all students to wear face coverings. 13In France, public schools reopened briefly before a summer break, with no sign of widespread virus spread. Face coverings were only required for older students, but students stayed in the same classroom all day. 14In Norway, preschools reopened first, followed by others. Children were put in smaller groups that stayed together all day. Face coverings were not required. 15Iowa's largely rural Western Dubuque Community School District will let students and their parents choose. Superintendent Rick Colpitts has heard the arguments for face coverings, but he also hears from people who are opposed. 16"It's a lose-lose situation," Colpitts said. "We tried to take the political piece out of it, but there's no way to make everyone happy." 17Iowa is among many states that have left the face covering decision to local school officials. The state's Education Department's recommendation against a mask requirement was based on the idea that a requirement would lead to many more questions. This includes questions about what face coverings are acceptable, how the rules would be enforced and what exceptions could be made. 18"There are just so many things that go into it," Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, said in explaining why she opposes a school mask requirement. "If somebody wears the same mask for seven days without ... washing it or changing it out, is it actually doing what it's supposed to be doing? Who's going to monitor that?" 19To Lily Eskelsen Garcia, president of the National Education Association, the lack of mask requirements and other safety rules will create serious problems. 20Claire Hanson teaches in North Liberty, Iowa. She agrees with concerns that face coverings would be hard for young children but thinks it is still the best choice. 21"Do you understand how resilient children are? It's not a mask of terror. They will get through it," Hanson said. 22In Connecticut, officials have said they expect to include "mask breaks" throughout the day, especially for special-needs students. Schools also must provide masks for students who do not have one. 23DeAnna Strethers' youngest daughter attends high school in State Center, Iowa. She said she understands parents who want to make their own decisions. 24"I'm not a big government type of person. I do not like my government telling me that you have to do this or can't do that," she said. "But personally, I think masks are smart." 25I'm Pete Musto. 26Scott McFetridge reported on this story for the Associated Press. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 27_______________________________________________________________ 28Words in This Story 29district(s) - n. an area established by a government for official government business 30mask(s) - n. a covering for your face or for part of your face 31sensitive - adj. aware of and understanding the feelings of other people 32realize - v. to understand or become aware of something 33perspective(s) - n. a way of thinking about and understanding something (such as a particular issue or life in general 34at the wheel - idm. in control 35recommendation - n. a suggestion about what should be done 36exception(s) - n. a case where a rule does not come into effect 37monitor - v. to watch, observe, listen to, or check something for a special purpose over a period of time 38resilient - adj. able to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens 39We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.