Per the American Academy of Pediatrics 121,427 child COVID-19 cases were reported from 8/5/21-8/12/21 and children represented 18.0% of the weekly reported cases. The number of children hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States hit a record high of just over 1,900 on August 14th and the full extent of severe pediatric cases is not yet known.

The children of Westford are starting in person learning in two weeks. With COVID-19 vaccines unavailable to children under 12 and the Delta variant spreading rapidly amongst unvaccinated individuals and vaccinated individuals it is vital that WPS have stringent COVID-19 safety protocols in place to ensure the safety of our children and their teachers and to enable continuous in person learning for the school year.

The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend mask wearing for children indoors at school. There is sufficient evidence that masks are effective at reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and that these precautions can promote continuous in person learning by reducing the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, there is recent literature that masks are unlikely to dramatically impair children’s social interactions in their everyday lives.

As concerned Westford parents we are asking Superintendent Chew to utilize a reasonable and proven public health measure and institute a universal masking requirement in Westford Public Schools.