As schools across the US prepare to welcome students back this week, the controversial requirement for face masks in the classroom has returned.
Despite Covid infection rates remaining stable for several months, elementary and high schools in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania have mandated the use of face coverings for students returning from the holidays.
Education officials argue that the policy is necessary to prevent an increase in respiratory illnesses following the first normal Christmas and New Year in years, during which there was increased mixing among individuals.
As schools across the US prepare to enforce the requirement for face masks in the classroom, there is growing concern among experts and parents about the effectiveness of these mandates in reducing infection rates.
In fact, research suggests that face masks may have a negative impact on children’s social development and education, and may even deprive them of vital immunity to other seasonal illnesses such as the flu and RSV.
The return of these controversial Covid policies has also raised concerns about the potential for similar measures to be reintroduced in other aspects of American life.
This concern has been exacerbated by the US government’s recent announcement that all passengers arriving from China, which is currently experiencing a major outbreak, will be required to undergo testing upon entry, despite a lack of evidence supporting the effectiveness of this policy.
The US is currently experiencing an average of 400,000 new Covid infections per week, compared to 4 million at this time last year and 1.3 million the year before.
While weekly case numbers have remained stable since the late summer, schools in New Jersey are imposing new mask mandates due to an increase in Covid, flu, and RSV cases in the state.
This increase in cases comes despite high levels of immunity in the population due to vaccination and previous waves of infections.
In the week before Christmas, 22 states reported “very high” flu activity, down from 26 the week before. The highest transmission rates were seen in six states, down from eight in early December.
America’s flu season started earlier than usual, but both flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases dropped for the second week in a row right before Christmas. This means that the “tripledemic” in America may soon be over.
The RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) outbreak is occurring earlier than the flu this year, with cases reaching their highest point in November and still remaining at high levels. This has caused hospitals, particularly those specializing in pediatrics, to become overwhelmed as they deal with both RSV and flu outbreaks.
Strep A is a bacterial illness that is on the rise among kids and has claimed at least two lives in Colorado. Before Christmas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an urgent warning letter alerting medical professionals and public health officials about the virus.
Counterintuitively, the use of masks and lockdowns has been blamed for the increase in cases among children, as it has hindered their ability to build up natural immunity through regular exposure to the virus.
Recently, the Paterson Public Schools in Passaic County and the Camden City School District in New Jersey have implemented a requirement for students to wear masks indoors.
The new regulation will take effect on January 3 and will apply to all 25,000 students in Paterson Public Schools, from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.
Eileen Shafer, the superintendent of the school division, wrote to parents to say:
“I know this is a relief to some, and a frustration to others. No matter what your position may be, I ask for your cooperation.
“Please continue to maintain universal masking throughout our buildings and we encourage you to take all other precautions against the spread of the Covid-19, RSV, flu virus including frequent hand washing, avoiding large gatherings, and staying home when sick.”
The Camden City School District, which serves 75,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, has announced that it will require all individuals entering school buildings to wear masks indoors for a minimum of two weeks, until January 17.
In a letter to families, the superintendent of the school system said that the action was taken “in an effort to be proactive and remain vigilant.”
The school district of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is requiring students to wear masks for a minimum of 10 days, beginning on Jan 3 and ending on Jan 13, unless the requirement is extended.
On Friday, Boston Public Schools (BPS) in Massachusetts announced that students and staff will be required to wear face coverings from Jan 4 to Jan 13.
In a statement, BPS said that wearing a temporary mask was “an ask and expectation,” not “a mandate,” and that anyone who chose not to wear one would not face punishment or dismissal.
In December, Wilson Elementary School in Washington state implemented a requirement for students to wear masks for a week due to an increase in respiratory illnesses causing approximately 30% of its students to be absent on one day.
Washington State, Los Angeles, and New York City released new guidelines during the second weekend in December advising citizens to start covering up in indoor public spaces once again.
Image Credit: Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images