As Democratic governors start to withdraw mask mandates for kids in schools, the White House is doubling down on the unscientific and harmful practice.
REPORTER: "If you could just clarify...do you think that at some point in the future...it would we appropriate for there to be updated federal guidelines" on masking in schools?
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 7, 2022
PSAKI: "The guidance is very clear, which is that we recommend masking in schools." pic.twitter.com/Fy5vpIk7HS
The White House uses the Centers for Disease Control to set policy. A study put out by the CDC justifying masking in schools was deeply flawed.
"The agency’s director has said, repeatedly, that schools without mask mandates have triple the risk of COVID outbreaks. That claim is based on very shaky science," The Atlantic reports. "Scientists generally agree that, according to the research literature, wearing masks can help protect people from the coronavirus, but the precise extent of that protection, particularly in schools, remains unknown—and it might be very small. What data do exist have been interpreted into guidance in many different ways. The World Health Organization, for example, does not recommend masks for children under age 6. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recommends against the use of masks for any children in primary school."
Meanwhile, Democratic Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey is withdrawing the state's mask mandate for schools.
The statewide mask mandate for schools and child care settings will be lifted effective March 7th.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 7, 2022
We can responsibly take the step given the continuing drop in new cases and hospitalizations from Omicron, and the continued growth in vaccinations. pic.twitter.com/89CM3Fq4fz
Long before Murphy, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order barring local school districts from forcing children to mask up.
To be clear, this is not about pro-mask vs. anti-mask, but rather parents making decisions about what’s best for their child’s health. And we are pleased to see that other states, including New Jersey and Delaware, are following our reasoning and a path to normalcy.
— Governor Glenn Youngkin (@GovernorVA) February 7, 2022