Kids who have become accustomed to the face coverings probably won’t care but children at Seattle Public Schools will be required to continue wearing masks after the state’s requirements for the face coverings is lifted next week, the district has said in an update to students and families.
“Future decisions on mask use within the district will be made in partnership with public health, and its implementation will be established after consultation and mutually agreed upon guidelines that are reached through bargaining with our labor partners,” the district said in a statement.
Beginning March 12th, Seattle and King County will join the rest of the state in lifting indoor masking requirements after about 600 days of mandatory indoor masking in Washington. New federal guidance calls only for indoor mask usage in areas with high COVID-19 activity. Public Health said the county is now classified at a “low COVID-19 community level” under current metrics.
The school district says it will keep its requirements in place for “all students, staff, visitors and others while they are indoors and outdoors at all SPS buildings,” and as federally required on school buses.
An agreement must also be struck with the union representing the district’s teachers and educators. SPS says it will negotiate with the Seattle Education Association “to arrive at a mutually agreeable position regarding any permanent change to mask use requirements throughout the district.”
KUOW reports that the restrictions could remain in place for months with union president Jennifer Matter “wants to see mask rules lift no sooner than two weeks after spring break, or May 1.”
Public Health reports that 50% of 5 to 11-year-olds in King County are now fully vaccinated while about 77% of 12 to 17-year-olds have completed a COVID-19 vaccination series.
(Image: Public Health)
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Love to hear the rationale for May 1 from the union president. Why not make it mask optional on the same date as the county and then provide daily N95 masks for all teachers and staff who want it?
Teachers are pretty dramatic at this point.
“Follow the science”, CDC ends mask mandates/recommendations, teachers say “hmmm we don’t believe your science!”.
May 1 is two weeks after spring break so thats probably how they landed on that date.