When should DC drop its school mask mandate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Same. Omicron swept through the week before Christmas and it was tough on everyone -- we basically had a three and a half week winter break instead of one and a third. But since then we are back to our pre-Omicron numbers with the occasional case but zero in-person spread. I feel like our school, specifically, peaked early on Omicron and we are now ready to start thinking about how we want to handle the spring with very minimal cases. Not saying we should drop masks today (cases still pretty high in the city) but if you are tracking the course of the wave, it seems like it should be a real possibility by mid-March or April.

I also think this spring, when cases are low, would be a good time to figure out what a long-term Covid strategy looks like. If this virus is going to be with us for years, let's craft a proactive policy around health screenings, contact tracing, quarantines, masking, and testing that is sustainable over many years and balances the need to protect kids and adults with other important educational, safety, mental health, and social goals. Maybe we start by telling kids they can remove their masks outdoors, if they want. See how that goes. How about we figure out how kids in speech therapy and young learners can go without masks when they are doing things that really benefit from being able to see mouths move. See how that goes. I do think masking during surges, and for kids and adults who are at higher risk, is going to be a regular part of our lives for a long time. So how do we incorporate that into schools in a way that makes sense and still acknowledges that masks ARE a hindrance to certain kinds of learning and social development.

I just don't understand why we can't be reasonably and measured in this, why this gets divided into two factions, and why the assumption is that the other faction is "crazy". We can be reasonable. Why is that so hard?

[Anonymous]

This is not that hard. When cases come down, the indoor masks can go. I will defer to the experts on what the right metric is for that. But we should be able to communicate that soon (obviously circumstances can change). I think it would provide a measure of relief and understanding for everyone on both sides of the divide.

[Anonymous]

I think DC should announce now that, in the future, you can stop wearing a mask in schools if you are vaccinated and have the start date be in 6-8 weeks. Then you encourage more to get their children vaccinated.

Then later they can remove it for everyone, but allow if desired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is not that hard. When cases come down, the indoor masks can go. I will defer to the experts on what the right metric is for that. But we should be able to communicate that soon (obviously circumstances can change). I think it would provide a measure of relief and understanding for everyone on both sides of the divide.

+1 I'm a teacher who will keep following whatever rule the experts call for. I'm fine wearing a mask as long as its deemed appropriate and will most certainly be fine going mask free once experts approve.

I have no interest in debating who the experts are, as that is above my pay grade

[Anonymous]

Kids shouldn't have to wear masks during any school or sports activities outdoors. This is common sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

As a DCPS teacher who hasn’t had COVID, I really don’t need anyone else to wear a mask to protect me. As soon as we can I will be teaching maskless. I’m not worried about Covid and don’t like wearing a mask all day. Everyone should be able to make their own choice at this point. Please feel free to continue masking- I would never take that right away from you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is not that hard. When cases come down, the indoor masks can go. I will defer to the experts on what the right metric is for that. But we should be able to communicate that soon (obviously circumstances can change). I think it would provide a measure of relief and understanding for everyone on both sides of the divide.

+1 I'm a teacher who will keep following whatever rule the experts call for. I'm fine wearing a mask as long as its deemed appropriate and will most certainly be fine going mask free once experts approve.

I have no interest in debating who the experts are, as that is above my pay grade

My issue is that the experts are not being equitable- PK3 in DCPS only have to isolate for 7 days after exposure. Childcare facilities with the same age group have to isolate for 10 days. Why? What’s the difference? They both nap unmasked and eat unmasked. It’s not based on science so I’m done.

[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.

50% of DCPS teachers have had Covid? Can you post a link to that data? Also, were those cases acquired at school, or at least potentially acquired at school, i.e. since these teachers have been teaching in person? And were those teachers vaccinated when they had the option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

As a DCPS teacher who hasn’t had COVID, I really don’t need anyone else to wear a mask to protect me. As soon as we can I will be teaching maskless. I’m not worried about Covid and don’t like wearing a mask all day. Everyone should be able to make their own choice at this point. Please feel free to continue masking- I would never take that right away from you.

+1. I have been close contact multiple times and haven’t gotten it. As soon as I can take my mask off, I will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

As a DCPS teacher who hasn’t had COVID, I really don’t need anyone else to wear a mask to protect me. As soon as we can I will be teaching maskless. I’m not worried about Covid and don’t like wearing a mask all day. Everyone should be able to make their own choice at this point. Please feel free to continue masking- I would never take that right away from you.

+1. I have been close contact multiple times and haven’t gotten it. As soon as I can take my mask off, I will.

Yes, I think the assumption that most teachers love working in a mask all day and would quit their jobs in fear if kids stopped masking is mistaken. Just like grocery store workers were often the first to drop masks once allowed, contrary to the popular belief that they would be terrified if masks became optional for customers. It's hard to wear a mask for hours on end, and most people who are vaccinated are not as afraid of Covid anymore. This isn't 2020.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

As a DCPS teacher who hasn’t had COVID, I really don’t need anyone else to wear a mask to protect me. As soon as we can I will be teaching maskless. I’m not worried about Covid and don’t like wearing a mask all day. Everyone should be able to make their own choice at this point. Please feel free to continue masking- I would never take that right away from you.

Are you me?

If someone could be a fly on a wall in a DCPS school and see we have been essentially mask-less the entire school year for about 50% of students. Half do not wear one over the nose and mouth at all. About 25% put in an honest effort or wear cloth (same as none). There are about 25% who wear them correctly and consistently, although mostly just "surgical" which are like rolling the dice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think DC should announce now that, in the future, you can stop wearing a mask in schools if you are vaccinated and have the start date be in 6-8 weeks. Then you encourage more to get their children vaccinated.

Then later they can remove it for everyone, but allow if desired.

The federal government tried this back in the spring with the general population and it didn’t work then. So why would it work in dcps???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

As a DCPS teacher who hasn’t had COVID, I really don’t need anyone else to wear a mask to protect me. As soon as we can I will be teaching maskless. I’m not worried about Covid and don’t like wearing a mask all day. Everyone should be able to make their own choice at this point. Please feel free to continue masking- I would never take that right away from you.

Are you me?

If someone could be a fly on a wall in a DCPS school and see we have been essentially mask-less the entire school year for about 50% of students. Half do not wear one over the nose and mouth at all. About 25% put in an honest effort or wear cloth (same as none). There are about 25% who wear them correctly and consistently, although mostly just "surgical" which are like rolling the dice.

Ha I definitely have similar experiences. People are getting more lax about masks now- it really is such a pain to wear all day at work, then at any stores, etc. I get why kids are being more lax and quite frankly many adults too in the school. Those who are very Covid cautious double mask and don’t take it off inside. I respect that. I am just not one of them. I also don’t think they will quit when masks become optional. And actually I might seriously consider leaving if masks are required again next year. It’s just not how I want to spend my days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

As a DCPS teacher who hasn’t had COVID, I really don’t need anyone else to wear a mask to protect me. As soon as we can I will be teaching maskless. I’m not worried about Covid and don’t like wearing a mask all day. Everyone should be able to make their own choice at this point. Please feel free to continue masking- I would never take that right away from you.

+1. I have been close contact multiple times and haven’t gotten it. As soon as I can take my mask off, I will.

Yes, I think the assumption that most teachers love working in a mask all day and would quit their jobs in fear if kids stopped masking is mistaken. Just like grocery store workers were often the first to drop masks once allowed, contrary to the popular belief that they would be terrified if masks became optional for customers. It's hard to wear a mask for hours on end, and most people who are vaccinated are not as afraid of Covid anymore. This isn't 2020.

+1

I am PP but I actually think one of the things that would get us to end mask regulations is if everyone had to work in person. I find the most nervous people are the ones still working from home. My colleagues that were very nervous about Covid had to be in a school with hundreds of people all day and it relieved some of the anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

50% of DCPS teachers have had Covid? Can you post a link to that data? Also, were those cases acquired at school, or at least potentially acquired at school, i.e. since these teachers have been teaching in person? And were those teachers vaccinated when they had the option?

I don’t have official data, but on my kid’s Deal team of 4, 2 teachers have caught it at Deal.