Hundreds of thousands of students across the US will be forced to wear face masks in class when schools return this week as controversial mandates return.
Despite the number of Covid infections stagnating for months, elementary and middle schools in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have made face coverings an entry requirement for students returning from vacation.
Education officials say the policy is aimed at preventing an explosion in respiratory illnesses after more mingling during the first normal Christmas and New Year in years.
But there is little evidence that face masks actually reduce the number of infections, and mounting research shows that the regulations have hindered children’s social development and education and robbed them of essential immunity against other seasonal pathogens such as influenza and RSV.
There are growing concerns that harmful Covid policies could creep back into American life after the US government announced that all passengers from China – which is facing a larger outbreak – would be tested on entry, although there was no evidence to ensure that the policy is not working.
Despite the number of Covid infections stagnating for months, elementary and middle schools in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have made face coverings an entry requirement for students returning from vacation. A week-long mask mandate was instituted at a school in Washington last month, and several states have issued mask recommendations to the public
Residents of Seattle, Washington live in one of 12 counties that now recommend that residents wear masks (left). Los Angeles County is under a mask advisory after officials warned earlier this month that a mandate could soon be in the state (right).
Philadelphia public schools will require students and staff to wear masks in class for the first 10 days after winter break Jan. 3-13. Officials call Covid, RSV and flu ‘triple disease’ why masks are needed (file photo)
Covid infections in the US are now around 400,000 a week, down from 4 million this time last year and 1.3 million a year earlier.
The weekly cases have been stable since late summer, attributed to high immunity in the population against waves of vaccination and infection.
New Jersey schools are justifying the latest mask mandates due to the increase in the state’s Covid, flu and RSV cases.
It comes as 22 states recorded ‘very high’ flu activity in the week before Christmas – compared to 26 the previous week. Six states recorded the highest transmission rates, up from eight in early December.
The US flu season has come unusually early, although both the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have cratered for the second week in a row just before Christmas, meaning America’s “trilemia” may soon come to an end.
Canada joins the US in requiring all Chinese travelers to test negative for Covid
Travelers from Covid-stricken China will need a negative Covid test to enter Canada and Australia starting this weekend
The RSV is also several weeks before the flu crisis. The number of cases peaked in November, but the numbers remain very high. Both have resulted in hospitals, especially children’s hospitals, being overwhelmed.
Bacterial Strep A infection is also on the rise in children and has claimed the lives of at least two people in Colorado. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an urgent advisory about the infection before Christmas, updating doctors and public health officials on the situation.
Paradoxically, masks and lockdowns are blamed for the increase in minors, preventing them from developing the natural immunity they would otherwise have acquired.
Paterson Public Schools in Passaic County and Camden City School District in New Jersey were the latest schools to order masks on students indoors.
Paterson Public Schools’ new rule begins tomorrow (January 3) and applies to its 25,000 students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.
In a letter to parents, school district chair Eileen Shafer said, “I know this is a relief to some and a frustration to others. Whatever your role, I ask for your cooperation.”
She added: “Please continue to maintain universal masking on our premises and we encourage you to take all other precautions against the spread of the Covid-19, RSV and influenza virus, including washing your hands regularly, large gatherings avoid and stay home when you are sick.’
The Camden City School District, which has 75,000 students between Kindergarten and Grade 12, will ask anyone entering the buildings to mask themselves inside for at least two weeks until Jan. 17.
In a letter to families, the school district superintendent said the move was “in an effort to be proactive and remain vigilant.”
The Philadelphia School District in Pennsylvania also requires students to wear masks for at least 10 days, starting Jan. 3 and ending Jan. 13 if not renewed.
Meanwhile, Boston Public Schools (BPS) in Massachusetts announced on Friday that students and staff will be asked to wear face coverings between January 4 and 13.
BPS said in a statement that the temporary masking was a “requirement and expectation” and “not a mandate” and said no one would be sent home or fined for refusing to wear one.
And in Washington state, Wilson Elementary School required masks for a week in December because of rising respiratory illnesses, which resulted in about 30 percent of students being absent on a single day.
On the second weekend of December, Washington State, Los Angeles and New York City issued new recommendations urging residents to wear masks again in indoor public spaces.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
