MASD Families: Denounce Optional Masking

MASD Families: Denounce Optional Masking

Started
August 12, 2021
Petition to
MASD Superintendent Dr. Mark Leidy & MASD School Board Directors
Signatures: 807Next Goal: 1,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by Shalee Ellis

As parents, family members, and concerned community members we, the undersigned, denounce the MASD optional masking policy for the 2021-2022 school year, ask that you reverse that decision, and follow the guidance of the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics to require students and staff to wear masks while attending class indoors.

Regardless of whether or not it is a legal requirement by the state or federal government, we believe it is within the power of the administration and school board of directors at MASD to create a policy for mandatory masks that acknowledges the present situation is serious and has the potential to create harm and devastation in our community.

The CDC's current guidance is clear "Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated...[and this is] especially important indoors and in crowded settings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained."

The American Academy of Pediatrics is also clear:"All students older than 2 years and all school staff should wear face masks at school (unless medical or developmental conditions prohibit use)."

While this virus is new, what we do know unequivocally shows that masking works and that children are capable of wearing a mask during the school day without detrimental results.  Several NIH studies show that "...for a majority of the day while conducting in‐person instruction, children in grades pre‐K‐2 are able to adhere to mask wearing as a key mitigation strategy for limiting SARS‐CoV2 infection spread and possible future use." 

We are all tired of wearing masks, but the CDC, AAP, NIH, and countless other health entities, physicians, and epidemiologists are not wrong. In 2020-2021, you set the commendable precedent of transparency in following expert guidance from the CDC and AAP to ensure a healthy school year where students could have in-person instruction. 

In contrast with last year’s precedent, you have not been transparent about the metrics used to make the decision to make masks optional this year. We ask that you publicly provide the specific resources you used to directly dismiss the guidance of the CDC and AAP. 

For the sake of the Mechanicsburg community, our students can handle a few more months of wearing masks. You have the opportunity to continue modeling your dedication to science, critical thinking, and civic duty for the students you promised to educate.  We ask that you continue the precedent you set last year to follow expert advice and help protect our children by reinstating universal masking at the schools in the district.

#MaskupMASD

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Signatures: 807Next Goal: 1,000
Support now
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Decision Makers

  • Dr. Mark Leidy & MASD School Board DirectorsMASD Superintendent