We, the signatories of this petition, call on our elected officials on the Volusia School Board to ensure the safe return of our children to school by mandating face masks for all in-person learning, except when medical exemptions are justified. The new guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Academy of Pediatrics are based on the emerging science related to the highly contagious Delta variant.  

The new variant spreads faster and has the capability of causing severe disease and death, even among children and younger adults. The governor's recent executive order is misguided and misinformed as it refers to older data and the characteristics of the early variant of the virus. Masks are effective only when everyone around an individual properly wears them. Individual mask options will not protect our children.  

Children are entitled to a safe learning environment. We ask our elected officials to do what is best for their health and safety; institute universal mask mandates unless medical exemptions apply.  

Florida children’s hospitals see pediatric COVID cases soar amid delta variant surge

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