Does this mean DC school mask mandate is over?

[Anonymous]

https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/coronavirus/page_content/attachments/COVID-19_DC_Health_Guidance_for_Educational_Facilities_03-08-22.pdf

Relevant passage:

1) Masks
• Most people no longer need to wear masks indoors or outdoors at educational facilities unless COVID-19 community levels are HIGH. If COVID-19 community levels are MEDIUM, people who are immunocompromised or at higher risk for severe COVID-19 should wear a mask or respirator indoors at educational facilities.
• Mask mandates can be introduced by facilities as needed

[Anonymous]

Oh

My

God

[Anonymous]

My charter is going to have a written, signed note from Nesbitt before they accept this. That'll be in May or something.

[Anonymous]

I'm so confused because this was followed up with a tweet that they are still required. What does that mean? Until the individual school decides?

[Anonymous]

Happy to see this. I sincerely hope our charter doesn’t drag its feet.

My kids have so much internalized fear of COVID I suspect they won’t want to drop the masks even when we say it’s OK.

[Anonymous]

It means that private schools in DC (and I guess charters, too) can decide whether to drop their mask mandates. DCPS is keeping its indoor mandate for now.

[Anonymous]

Ferebee says they are still required in "DC Schools."

https://twitter.com/dcpschancellor/status/1501321548866723847?s=21

Sounds like he's gotta talk to the WTU, per his tweet.

But that also suggests that charters are free to do what they want.

[Anonymous]

Bowser’s tweet linked to old guidance, which was confusing.

[Anonymous]

Is it off or not? Leave it to DC not only to be last but also most convoluted and nonsensical in removing mask mandate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Happy to see this. I sincerely hope our charter doesn’t drag its feet.

My kids have so much internalized fear of COVID I suspect they won’t want to drop the masks even when we say it’s OK.

My kid isn't really afraid of COVID, but she also doesn't mind wearing a mask. She'd be happy to stop, all else being equal, but it's not high on her list. I don't mind her wearing one indoors, either. The outdoors mandate was kind of silly, so happy to see that one dropped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it off or not? Leave it to DC not only to be last but also most convoluted and nonsensical in removing mask mandate.

This. We're dropping the mask mandate! But masks are still required! What?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it off or not? Leave it to DC not only to be last but also most convoluted and nonsensical in removing mask mandate.

We've gotten very explicit emails from the school about masking and testing; when it's dropped, I expect a clear message from the school. No need to stress about what someone said on Twitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it off or not? Leave it to DC not only to be last but also most convoluted and nonsensical in removing mask mandate.

Apparently on for DCPS, potentially off for privates and charters. Ferebee seems to want to "engage our union partners."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Happy to see this. I sincerely hope our charter doesn’t drag its feet.

My kids have so much internalized fear of COVID I suspect they won’t want to drop the masks even when we say it’s OK.

My kid isn't really afraid of COVID, but she also doesn't mind wearing a mask. She'd be happy to stop, all else being equal, but it's not high on her list. I don't mind her wearing one indoors, either. The outdoors mandate was kind of silly, so happy to see that one dropped.

I second all of this.

[Anonymous]

It doesn't state how long a Covid positive individual must isolate. 5 day minimum (CDC recommendation) or 7 day minimum (DC old rule).