rachelh@myweeklysentinel.com
PA — State news this week included the announcement from The Department of Health that students will need to wear masks throughout the entire school day, which was made on Monday, Aug. 17.
The original order was signed under Department of Health’s secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine’s authority under the Disease Prevention and Control Act on July 1. The order outlines the situations when a mask must be worn and includes limited exceptions to the face-covering requirement. Information on this order can be found on the PA Department of Health’s website.
The order includes anyone over the age of two years old to wear a mask while in “school entities,” including K-12 public schools, brick and mortar and cyber charter schools, head start programs and more.
“Our school districts have done a great job working with parents, students, and teachers to craft creative solutions for educational options that fit their community. I can’t tell you just how frustrating this is for everyone involved, however, not surprising,” Rep Clint Owlett said. “The Governor says he wants local control, but just can’t bring himself to truly let it happen. Please know we are doing everything we can.”
The order will remain in effect until the Secretary of Health determines the public health risk is lowered.
According to the order, students are permitted to remove their mask in the following situations: when they are eating or drinking spaced at least six feet apart, when wearing a face mask creates an unsafe condition or during “face-covering” breaks that last no longer than 10 minutes.
The order also applies to athletes and school sport activities.
“My concern with the new face covering requirement is that we will continue to lose students because parents have legitimate concerns about not sending their children back due to the requirement of masks at all times (except when separated six feet and eating or taking a mask break),” said Canton Area School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Briggs. “While I believe the health and safety of our students continues to be a top priority, I believe the restrictions placed on our school districts are making cyber options more favorable to some families and the financial implications of these decisions could create a huge financial burden to our district. We will continue to comply with all of the orders, and we thank all the students and families that continue to support us through this reopening process.”
Information from the Department of Health is updated every day and Dr. Levine holds press conferences live as well. To find more information, go to the Department of Health’s website at www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/Waivers/MaskWearing/Pages/default.aspx or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pennsylvaniadepartmentofhealth.