California plans to require masks for all students in the fall despite guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says vaccinated students and teachers don’t need to wear them amid proper physical distancing.
State health officials said the requirement will allow for full-time in-person learning and for all students to be treated the same, whether they’re vaccinated or not.
Not all schools are able to accommodate three feet of social distancing as the CDC recommends, state Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said. The CDC’s new guidance says that masks should be worn if social distancing can’t be achieved.
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“Masking is a simple and effective intervention that does not interfere with offering full in-person instruction,” Ghaly said, according to FOX 11 in Los Angeles. “At the outset of the new year, students should be able to walk into school without worrying about whether they will feel different or singled out for being vaccinated or unvaccinated – treating all kids the same will support a calm and supportive school environment.”
“Treating all kids the same will support a calm and supportive school environment.”