Our school district is debating dropping the mask mandate and thus far every single pro-argument is citing CDC guidelines- which when it comes to making kids is in direct conflict with WHO guidelines.

It's really frustrating that the CDC has been so inconsistent, and has been deeply lacking in transparency and authenticity when it comes to data, guidelines, and metrics.

This is also a deeply divided argument in our community: so far every speaker pro-mask mandate in schools are school staff and all of the ones wanting it dropped are parents.

Also hearing a LOT of "I'm vaccinated but if we drop mask mandates for kids I can carry it home to others." The terrible CDC messaging on the efficacy of vaccines has been so muddled that people who've gotten the vaxx don't have confidence in it. It's honestly so sad.

Parents are bringing in filthy masks from kindergarteners and pointing out that these kids get dirty during play time and then are breathing all day in filthy masks, special needs parents are in tears talking about how hard it is for their children to learn.

One brave teacher who is a reading specialist is citing how impossible it is to teach children that are already struggling to read because they can't see her form words and sounds because of the masks.

The people speaking at our school board meeting will most certainly lose this fight, but so proud of them for speaking up on behalf of kids.

At the very least the debate should split up high school kids and elementary-aged kids when discussing masks. Masking and kids is not a one-size-fits-all policy (or at least it shouldn't be).

I should clarify that I am not anti-mask. I think for people who are at-risk for the virus (who should at this point be vaccinated) should wear surgical/N95 masks, etc. I am pro-vaccine (I am fully vaccinated). But what we are doing to our children is wrong.

The impact that masking/keeping kids from activities/play/friends, etc will have on our children for some will last a lifetime. We need to think not just of the physical health of children, but their mental and emotional health as well.

There's this scary trend where everyone is waiting for the CDC to give them the green light to stop wearing masks, but the reading of the tea leaves suggests the next goal posts is masking until all children get vaccinated, too.

We cannot keep punishing kids because adults are still afraid/waiting for the CDC to give them permission to not wear a mask even though they're fully vaccinated.

Also people tend to think along the lines of, "well my kids are fine with it." But not every kid is your kid. Some kids have special needs, some kids have struggles you can't see, some kids are being abused and people can't see their face crying out for someone to see their pain.

The "well, the CDC says so" argument is a tough one for me to take on face value anymore. The CDC won't say whether or not fully vaccinated people should wear a mask outside with no people around. They are woefully behind on current guidance as we transition out of the pandemic.

The mask optional measure failed by 1, but I think parents are going to push back much harder ahead of the new school year. We start in AZ in Aug and the average temp in our city is 105. That's really hot for kids to be in masks (and also have water fountains still closed).