Mask madness? Boston public schools may revive ‘temporary’ mask mandate
Jeremiah Poff
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The Boston Public Schools district is considering imposing a temporary mask mandate when classes resume next month, adding the Massachusetts city to a growing list of districts requiring face coverings again for students.
It will reportedly make its decision by the end of the week on whether students, faculty, and staff will have to mask up again. In a message to parents and staff, district Superintendent Mary Skipper said such a mandate would be temporary and likely only last two weeks.
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“While you are away on your winter break, we will continue to meet with the Boston Public Health Commission to discuss any possible changes to our COVID protocols, such as a temporary masking mandate for the first two weeks of school after the break,” Skipper said.
The district cited fears of a staff shortage and student absences due to the spread of COVID-19 as the reason for considering mandates again.
“Based on last year’s experience with a significant surge in COVID and its impact on staffing shortages and student absences, we know this temporary policy change may help mitigate any concerns as we return from winter break,” she said.
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The school district will make a final decision later this week, WCVB reported. Earlier this month, Philadelphia Public Schools announced that masks would be required for the first 10 days of school after the Christmas-New Year break. The New Jersey school district of Passaic County has also reinstated a mask requirement until community transmission of COVID-19 is no longer considered to be at a high level.