Is it time to have the difficult conversation about masks and MCPS?

[Anonymous]

The last couple of months have gone great for MCPS (although last year was such an utter failure when the rest of the country went back that they deserve no kudos).

Over the last few weeks we have had unmasked homecoming, parties, kids are having playdates constantly, and even unmasked lunch in schools. And almost no spread (very minimal at worst).

With the 5 to 11 group set to vaccinated very shortly, when do we start discussing masks? If you are a "mask forever" type please spare me, you are not based in reality or science. This is a serious discussion about when we think it will be safe. That day is coming, and probably sooner than we think. Me? I am think by Jan 2022 masks won't be necessary in schools and MCPS will ultimately have to bow to public pressure.

[Anonymous]

I think the masks stay for this school year. It will take time for everyone to get vaccinated and the approval hasn’t come through yet. I don’t see the policy changing as early as January.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The last couple of months have gone great for MCPS (although last year was such an utter failure when the rest of the country went back that they deserve no kudos).

Over the last few weeks we have had unmasked homecoming, parties, kids are having playdates constantly, and even unmasked lunch in schools. And almost no spread (very minimal at worst).

With the 5 to 11 group set to vaccinated very shortly, when do we start discussing masks? If you are a "mask forever" type please spare me, you are not based in reality or science. This is a serious discussion about when we think it will be safe. That day is coming, and probably sooner than we think. Me? I am think by Jan 2022 masks won't be necessary in schools and MCPS will ultimately have to bow to public pressure.

It's a STATE requirement. Did you know that?

https://news.maryland.gov/msde/new-masking-requirement-effective-immediately-for-all-maryland-public-schools/

[Anonymous]

Your Republican governor instituted this rule, OP.

But any excuse to bash MCPS!!!

[Anonymous]

What is wrong with you?

[Anonymous]

Masks aren't a big deal. Stupid politics; they're a cultural norm in Asia.

[Anonymous]

I remember as a young adult visiting my Grandma in Tokyo and seeing everyone in masks. It was a normal winter in Japan. I brought back Hello Kitty masks, and a few years later during a health crisis, had to wear them to protect myself when out and about.

Masks are not your enemy, OP. Stupidity is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Masks aren't a big deal. Stupid politics; they're a cultural norm in Asia.

They most certainly are not. Please stop with this orientalist BS. Asians wear masks in public because of the terrible air pollution, or if they have to ride public transit with active cold/flu symptoms. Please stop with this nonsense that asymptomatic people in Asian mask indoors 24/7 all winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Masks aren't a big deal. Stupid politics; they're a cultural norm in Asia.

they're so not.

[Anonymous]

Masks are not a big deal until we get everyone (most) vaxxed. The kids are pretty indifferent, just the parents. Typical wedge issue/non-issue to stir up the ranks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Masks aren't a big deal. Stupid politics; they're a cultural norm in Asia.

They most certainly are not. Please stop with this orientalist BS. Asians wear masks in public because of the terrible air pollution, or if they have to ride public transit with active cold/flu symptoms. Please stop with this nonsense that asymptomatic people in Asian mask indoors 24/7 all winter.

PP didn't say that Asians mask indoors 24/7. For example, I could say that mittens are a cultural norm in Canada. That doesn't mean Canadians wear them constantly, it means they don't have tantrums at the suggestion that there are times and places to wear them. Cultural norms in certain Asian countries absolutely include wearing masks in certain times and places. Now, schools during pandemics is one of those times and places. The fact that they were already used to them in other situations has probably meant that there was less pushback.

[Anonymous]

Anyone who starts a post implying the rest of the country went back to school while only MCPS was closed should be disregarded..

[Anonymous]

Multiple HS teachers in my DD’s school are currently out with covid. It’s good that there’s a mask mandate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The last couple of months have gone great for MCPS (although last year was such an utter failure when the rest of the country went back that they deserve no kudos).

Over the last few weeks we have had unmasked homecoming, parties, kids are having playdates constantly, and even unmasked lunch in schools. And almost no spread (very minimal at worst).

With the 5 to 11 group set to vaccinated very shortly, when do we start discussing masks? If you are a "mask forever" type please spare me, you are not based in reality or science. This is a serious discussion about when we think it will be safe. That day is coming, and probably sooner than we think. Me? I am think by Jan 2022 masks won't be necessary in schools and MCPS will ultimately have to bow to public pressure.

Nope. Not going to change this school year.

Next question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last couple of months have gone great for MCPS (although last year was such an utter failure when the rest of the country went back that they deserve no kudos).

Over the last few weeks we have had unmasked homecoming, parties, kids are having playdates constantly, and even unmasked lunch in schools. And almost no spread (very minimal at worst).

With the 5 to 11 group set to vaccinated very shortly, when do we start discussing masks? If you are a "mask forever" type please spare me, you are not based in reality or science. This is a serious discussion about when we think it will be safe. That day is coming, and probably sooner than we think. Me? I am think by Jan 2022 masks won't be necessary in schools and MCPS will ultimately have to bow to public pressure.

It's a STATE requirement. Did you know that?

https://news.maryland.gov/msde/new-masking-requirement-effective-immediately-for-all-maryland-public-schools/

Yeah, it's precious how deluded these people are that they think the public schools give a single, solitary damn about their "public pressure" (adult tantrums).