APS mask policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:APS website is updated

https://www.apsva.us/school-year-2021-22/health-safety-information/

Updated Mask Guidance as of February 28, 2022

Check the current transmission levels in Arlington County

Low Transmission
Staff Optional
Student Optional
Student Athlete Optional

*Parents/Legal Guardians will be allowed to opt out

APS will continue to review and adjust our policies in accordance with guidance from the CDC, VDH and VDOE.

So as of today, you can lose the mask without an opt out....nice!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS website is updated

https://www.apsva.us/school-year-2021-22/health-safety-information/

Updated Mask Guidance as of February 28, 2022

Check the current transmission levels in Arlington County

Low Transmission
Staff Optional
Student Optional
Student Athlete Optional

*Parents/Legal Guardians will be allowed to opt out

APS will continue to review and adjust our policies in accordance with guidance from the CDC, VDH and VDOE.

So as of today, you can lose the mask without an opt out....nice!

Yes, and any adult including staff can be mask less and the facility as well. The only thing unclear is the bus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are still masking for the foreseeable future.

I tried talking to my kid this morning about treating everyone with the same kindness at school whether they were wearing a mask or not and he was legitimately offended, saying that people who were not wearing masks were failing to take care of the people in the community who had lower immunity levels or at risk people at home, and I said we would have to continue the conversation this evening (because, though I didn't say it, he wasn't really wrong and I don't know a great response to this argument).

Similar. We’re struggling with language that won’t add to any conflict/confusion at school. If you come up with something, would love to hear it. Ours is in 1st.

So you have filled your young child's head with judgmental and sanctimonious thoughts and now you're wondering what to say to them next to undo this.

Excellent parenting.

On the off chance you are serious, I would say to them that the scientists have said it's safe to unmask but some people may choose not to because of situations in their family or with their own health. The end.

And stop putting your agenda on your young child. It's so gross.

That's not really correct, though. People have been masking to protect everyone who is at risk, not just people in their own family or themselves. So you're not correctly addressing the issue. Maybe you can fudge things and say that CDC has said that transmission levels are low enough now that it is safer not to mask now than it was before. But the risk you are averting is spreading the disease generally in the community, and is not limited to one's own family or oneself.

You can explain first that at risk people have always been at risk from viruses around us. And will continue to be going forward. Those at risk people have a lot of tools at their disposal to help mitigate their risk that they didn't have a the beginning of the pandemic. And the grown ups have decided that children in the aggregate should no longer be the sole group shouldering the burden of trying to protect at risk adults.

When vaccine are available for all age groups, and when treatment is available for all age groups, then I'll agree with you.

New straw man. K-12 must keep wearing masks until 0-5 has a vaccine is your position? But the concerts, bars, and restaurants filled with unmasked adults are ok. Just our kids need to keep wearing them to keep your under 5 safe.

+1. Why is it only kids in school that are the target here?

The issue I raised was with the bolded statement. But if you want my opinion on how kids in school became the focal point for so much discussion, fine. I think the main reasons is because public schools are unique in that they are government funded (though tax payer dollars) and supposed to be equally accessible to all. Its not like choosing between restaurant A, which requires masks, and Restaurant B, which does not require masks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are still masking for the foreseeable future.

I tried talking to my kid this morning about treating everyone with the same kindness at school whether they were wearing a mask or not and he was legitimately offended, saying that people who were not wearing masks were failing to take care of the people in the community who had lower immunity levels or at risk people at home, and I said we would have to continue the conversation this evening (because, though I didn't say it, he wasn't really wrong and I don't know a great response to this argument).

Similar. We’re struggling with language that won’t add to any conflict/confusion at school. If you come up with something, would love to hear it. Ours is in 1st.

So you have filled your young child's head with judgmental and sanctimonious thoughts and now you're wondering what to say to them next to undo this.

Excellent parenting.

On the off chance you are serious, I would say to them that the scientists have said it's safe to unmask but some people may choose not to because of situations in their family or with their own health. The end.

And stop putting your agenda on your young child. It's so gross.

That's not really correct, though. People have been masking to protect everyone who is at risk, not just people in their own family or themselves. So you're not correctly addressing the issue. Maybe you can fudge things and say that CDC has said that transmission levels are low enough now that it is safer not to mask now than it was before. But the risk you are averting is spreading the disease generally in the community, and is not limited to one's own family or oneself.

You can explain first that at risk people have always been at risk from viruses around us. And will continue to be going forward. Those at risk people have a lot of tools at their disposal to help mitigate their risk that they didn't have a the beginning of the pandemic. And the grown ups have decided that children in the aggregate should no longer be the sole group shouldering the burden of trying to protect at risk adults.

When vaccine are available for all age groups, and when treatment is available for all age groups, then I'll agree with you.

New straw man. K-12 must keep wearing masks until 0-5 has a vaccine is your position? But the concerts, bars, and restaurants filled with unmasked adults are ok. Just our kids need to keep wearing them to keep your under 5 safe.

+1. Why is it only kids in school that are the target here?

The issue I raised was with the bolded statement. But if you want my opinion on how kids in school became the focal point for so much discussion, fine. I think the main reasons is because public schools are unique in that they are government funded (though tax payer dollars) and supposed to be equally accessible to all. Its not like choosing between restaurant A, which requires masks, and Restaurant B, which does not require masks.

My opinion is it's because adults can tell children what to do and they are mostly a compliant audience and also generally have no voice in these issues and just have to follow the rules. In short, no one gives a crap about them. Collateral damage during this whole pandemic. Oh well, seems to be the attitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS website is updated

https://www.apsva.us/school-year-2021-22/health-safety-information/

Updated Mask Guidance as of February 28, 2022

Check the current transmission levels in Arlington County

Low Transmission
Staff Optional
Student Optional
Student Athlete Optional

*Parents/Legal Guardians will be allowed to opt out

APS will continue to review and adjust our policies in accordance with guidance from the CDC, VDH and VDOE.

So as of today, you can lose the mask without an opt out....nice!

Yes, and any adult including staff can be mask less and the facility as well. The only thing unclear is the bus.

No, the bus requires masks by all because buses are under federal orders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:APS website is updated

https://www.apsva.us/school-year-2021-22/health-safety-information/

Updated Mask Guidance as of February 28, 2022

Check the current transmission levels in Arlington County

Low Transmission
Staff Optional
Student Optional
Student Athlete Optional

*Parents/Legal Guardians will be allowed to opt out

APS will continue to review and adjust our policies in accordance with guidance from the CDC, VDH and VDOE.

So as of today, you can lose the mask without an opt out....nice!

Yes, and any adult including staff can be mask less and the facility as well. The only thing unclear is the bus.

No, the bus requires masks by all because buses are under federal orders.

The e-mail from Duran specifically says masks are optional on buses as well. Perhaps this mandate was also dropped last Friday?

[Anonymous]

The email says no more masks required on bus or at school. Good. There was never any reason for kids to be masked.

[Anonymous]

From the CDC website: "Effective February 25, 2022, CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From the CDC website: "Effective February 25, 2022, CDC does not require wearing of masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early care and education/child care programs."

Time to get back to normal. The weirdos like Ventilation Woman and the Smart Restart mask dead enders can continue to make until 2035.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are still masking for the foreseeable future.

I tried talking to my kid this morning about treating everyone with the same kindness at school whether they were wearing a mask or not and he was legitimately offended, saying that people who were not wearing masks were failing to take care of the people in the community who had lower immunity levels or at risk people at home, and I said we would have to continue the conversation this evening (because, though I didn't say it, he wasn't really wrong and I don't know a great response to this argument).

Your son sounds like a nice kid. I can tell you my perspective as the parent of a mildly autistic kid. Despite his disability, in March 2020 he was a happy, outgoing, curious, albeit awkward kid. The APS decision to abandon all teaching for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year was disastrously bad for him because it cut him off from some great teachers and kids. We are glad that school (eventually) reopened but the masks present two challenges to him. First, under the best of circumstances (without masks) understanding subtle social cues and messages is a significant challenge for him. But with everyone wearing a mask it's nearly impossible. He has more or less decided that making friends is a code he will never crack and having a friend is not something he really even thinks about anymore. He comes home from school exhausted and dispirited nearly every day from trying to decipher the world. Second, he has sensory issues and wearing a mask is uncomfortable for him, both with respect to the feeling of the mask on his face and just plain simple breathing. Weirdly though, even though he is fully vaccinated and has had covid, part of him is also scared of taking off his mask because he has received angry reprimands from so many adults who have no idea of his situation but have convinced him that the mask is saving his life. Every time I see a post from an adult that no child minds wearing a mask, I feel like screaming.

Bottom line, the happy, outgoing, curious kid from March 2020 gets through his day by taking 15 mg of Lexapro every morning.

I read this and wanted to cry. I really feel for kids in this pandemic and especially vulnerable kids who have really not been considered. Hope he is able now to develop friendships more easily with the masks off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are still masking for the foreseeable future.

I tried talking to my kid this morning about treating everyone with the same kindness at school whether they were wearing a mask or not and he was legitimately offended, saying that people who were not wearing masks were failing to take care of the people in the community who had lower immunity levels or at risk people at home, and I said we would have to continue the conversation this evening (because, though I didn't say it, he wasn't really wrong and I don't know a great response to this argument).

Your son sounds like a nice kid. I can tell you my perspective as the parent of a mildly autistic kid. Despite his disability, in March 2020 he was a happy, outgoing, curious, albeit awkward kid. The APS decision to abandon all teaching for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year was disastrously bad for him because it cut him off from some great teachers and kids. We are glad that school (eventually) reopened but the masks present two challenges to him. First, under the best of circumstances (without masks) understanding subtle social cues and messages is a significant challenge for him. But with everyone wearing a mask it's nearly impossible. He has more or less decided that making friends is a code he will never crack and having a friend is not something he really even thinks about anymore. He comes home from school exhausted and dispirited nearly every day from trying to decipher the world. Second, he has sensory issues and wearing a mask is uncomfortable for him, both with respect to the feeling of the mask on his face and just plain simple breathing. Weirdly though, even though he is fully vaccinated and has had covid, part of him is also scared of taking off his mask because he has received angry reprimands from so many adults who have no idea of his situation but have convinced him that the mask is saving his life. Every time I see a post from an adult that no child minds wearing a mask, I feel like screaming.

Bottom line, the happy, outgoing, curious kid from March 2020 gets through his day by taking 15 mg of Lexapro every morning.

I read this and wanted to cry. I really feel for kids in this pandemic and especially vulnerable kids who have really not been considered. Hope he is able now to develop friendships more easily with the masks off.

I feel bad for this kid, too. It does seem like some folks are saying that it's okay to want to help one another as a society by taking masks off so this kid can try to read other people's expressions, but it's a step too far to want to help one another as a society by keeping masks on to prevent transmission and stop people from becoming severely ill and/or dying from the disease. I hope this kid starts to have an easier time, but I must say we will still be wearing masks because for us the calculus weighs heavier on the side of reducing spread and preventing death and severe illness. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Our school has a social skills class to help kids who have problems reading social cues figure things out. I don't know if they have covered issues of reading social cues when masks are involved but it seems like something Arlington would do.

[Anonymous]

The exhaustion from taking in this shift is immense.


And no I don’t need therapy. It’s an entirely human response to two years of stress I don’t know if the changing mask policy is positive or not as of yet. But definitely feeling all of it right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The exhaustion from taking in this shift is immense.


And no I don’t need therapy. It’s an entirely human response to two years of stress I don’t know if the changing mask policy is positive or not as of yet. But definitely feeling all of it right now.

I am exhausted too. Sending hugs to you and anyone else who feels similarly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are still masking for the foreseeable future.

I tried talking to my kid this morning about treating everyone with the same kindness at school whether they were wearing a mask or not and he was legitimately offended, saying that people who were not wearing masks were failing to take care of the people in the community who had lower immunity levels or at risk people at home, and I said we would have to continue the conversation this evening (because, though I didn't say it, he wasn't really wrong and I don't know a great response to this argument).

Your son sounds like a nice kid. I can tell you my perspective as the parent of a mildly autistic kid. Despite his disability, in March 2020 he was a happy, outgoing, curious, albeit awkward kid. The APS decision to abandon all teaching for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year was disastrously bad for him because it cut him off from some great teachers and kids. We are glad that school (eventually) reopened but the masks present two challenges to him. First, under the best of circumstances (without masks) understanding subtle social cues and messages is a significant challenge for him. But with everyone wearing a mask it's nearly impossible. He has more or less decided that making friends is a code he will never crack and having a friend is not something he really even thinks about anymore. He comes home from school exhausted and dispirited nearly every day from trying to decipher the world. Second, he has sensory issues and wearing a mask is uncomfortable for him, both with respect to the feeling of the mask on his face and just plain simple breathing. Weirdly though, even though he is fully vaccinated and has had covid, part of him is also scared of taking off his mask because he has received angry reprimands from so many adults who have no idea of his situation but have convinced him that the mask is saving his life. Every time I see a post from an adult that no child minds wearing a mask, I feel like screaming.

Bottom line, the happy, outgoing, curious kid from March 2020 gets through his day by taking 15 mg of Lexapro every morning.

I read this and wanted to cry. I really feel for kids in this pandemic and especially vulnerable kids who have really not been considered. Hope he is able now to develop friendships more easily with the masks off.

I feel bad for this kid, too. It does seem like some folks are saying that it's okay to want to help one another as a society by taking masks off so this kid can try to read other people's expressions, but it's a step too far to want to help one another as a society by keeping masks on to prevent transmission and stop people from becoming severely ill and/or dying from the disease. I hope this kid starts to have an easier time, but I must say we will still be wearing masks because for us the calculus weighs heavier on the side of reducing spread and preventing death and severe illness. YMMV.

Have you been hiding under a rock? Covid has spread. It’s here. It’s everywhere. It’s not in a night market in China (I mean, it’s there too). There is literally nothing anyone has done anywhere to prevent or even mitigate spread. Even the vaccine doesn’t stop spread! Stop lying to yourself, your kids and our kids!