When should DC drop its school mask mandate?

[Anonymous]

I'm new to this thread and strongly support an offramp for masks and other in-school mitigations, starting immediately with removing masks when outdoors.

Yesterday a reporter friend asked the mayor for comment on recent actions by NJ and other states. Her response: "I would not expect schools would be the first place" where precautions are eased.

We have work to do if we want to end the mandate this school year.

Public sentiment on this issue has shifted very recently. Those that support lifting the school mask mandate should contact the mayor's office. Also certain CMs are sympathetic but need to speak up: Henderson, Allen, Pinto, Cheh, Bonds, and Gray specifically. If you are a constituent I suggest contacting their office to express your views.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher and I have all of my shots. 2 vaccinations, 1 booster, and 1 flu shot.

I no longer wear my mask. If you or your kids want to, cool. Just keep all of comments 6 feet away from me.

love this

[Anonymous]

If you'd like to be part of the community of parents who are working to advance the Urgency of Normal (https://www.urgencyofnormal.com/) for children in the DC area, please join us:

DMV Urgency of Normal listserv:
https://groups.io/g/DMVUrgencyOfNormal

Childcare Normalcy Now FB group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/614497649624490/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just want to say that I find the rhetoric on this thread disheartening.

For the record I have a child undergoing chemotherapy. The entire world is a scary place right now--add COVID to the mix and it's a downright nightmare.

I also have another child with a speech issue who gets virtual speech therapy. I get the shortcomings, I get the frustration and I get the desire to help minimize the impact of this speech issue on their life.

As I see my children struggle in different ways, I am in pain and feel despair and anxiety and I want to find some way to make it better. As I read the threads, I would venture to say that these are the sentiments driving many of the posts. I just don't see the point in the parent on parent aggression to promote one's needs over another.

I also had a child undergo chemotherapy, so I fully understand your angst and concern. I would be on edge all the time right now if my child was still receiving chemo and that anxiety is fully justified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you'd like to be part of the community of parents who are working to advance the Urgency of Normal (https://www.urgencyofnormal.com/) for children in the DC area, please join us:

DMV Urgency of Normal listserv:
https://groups.io/g/DMVUrgencyOfNormal

Childcare Normalcy Now FB group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/614497649624490/

I am going to troll the shit out of these groups. This is going to be fun.

[Anonymous]

You people are crazy. There have been more covid notifications at our school in the past couple weeks than during the entire pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you'd like to be part of the community of parents who are working to advance the Urgency of Normal (https://www.urgencyofnormal.com/) for children in the DC area, please join us:

DMV Urgency of Normal listserv:
https://groups.io/g/DMVUrgencyOfNormal

Childcare Normalcy Now FB group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/614497649624490/

I am going to troll the shit out of these groups. This is going to be fun.

Sounds like a great use of your time, since it's extremely easy to kick you out. Ready to be on the wrong side of history?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You people are crazy. There have been more covid notifications at our school in the past couple weeks than during the entire pandemic.

Really? We are back, after the couple weeks after break, to our normal number from prior to omicron (~1/week). And that's with PK3/PK4 now being tested weekly, where as they weren't before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You people are crazy. There have been more covid notifications at our school in the past couple weeks than during the entire pandemic.

So? Being Covid positive - and I am willing to bet asymptomatic is not a big deal. Get over it. Have little Joey wear his n95 to school and move along.

-signed fully vaccinated and boosted guy who had Covid 2x

[Anonymous]

Teacher here. The masks aren’t just about your kids they are about the adults working with your kids. Half of all DCPS teachers have gotten COVID and I can assure you we are all dedicated to making sure the other half of our colleagues don’t get it. You think there is a teacher shortage now? Drop masks and prepare for a teacher STOPPAGE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. The masks aren’t just about your kids they are about the adults working with your kids. Half of all DCPS teachers have gotten COVID and I can assure you we are all dedicated to making sure the other half of our colleagues don’t get it. You think there is a teacher shortage now? Drop masks and prepare for a teacher STOPPAGE.

Teachers should be vaccinated. And they can wear a KN95 which -- unlike cloth masks -- provides protection to the user.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. The masks aren’t just about your kids they are about the adults working with your kids. Half of all DCPS teachers have gotten COVID and I can assure you we are all dedicated to making sure the other half of our colleagues don’t get it. You think there is a teacher shortage now? Drop masks and prepare for a teacher STOPPAGE.

You are welcome to keep wearing your medical grade mask if you feel like you need it. Many of us would prefer to teach without masks and have our children go to school without masks. No one is telling you to get rid of your mask, we simply want personal choice for ourselves and our children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. The masks aren’t just about your kids they are about the adults working with your kids. Half of all DCPS teachers have gotten COVID and I can assure you we are all dedicated to making sure the other half of our colleagues don’t get it. You think there is a teacher shortage now? Drop masks and prepare for a teacher STOPPAGE.

Yes, this is what these parents are failing to understand.

[Anonymous]

According to a National Education Association poll released this month, 55% of public-school teachers and staff are looking to quit earlier than planned because of COVID.

Also, above fact from that Tampa link.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here. The masks aren’t just about your kids they are about the adults working with your kids. Half of all DCPS teachers have gotten COVID and I can assure you we are all dedicated to making sure the other half of our colleagues don’t get it. You think there is a teacher shortage now? Drop masks and prepare for a teacher STOPPAGE.

Are you and your colleagues vaccinated and boosted? You are protected from serious illness. You could also just...keep wearing a high-quality mask. Or quit and never leave your house again, because COVID is never going away. You might catch it and feel crummy for a few days. That should be your choice.