No more masks at VA privates?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Catholic schools will do away with masks if they haven’t already.

I agree its in line with the Bishop's stance on masks a Church - optional.

BI sent an email last night asking parents their preference saying the diocese is considering what to do. I will be livid if they lift the mask mandate with the rate of infections being so high right now.

That’s great news that BI is giving parents a voice.

I think it should be up to the kids and the teachers who are there every day and will suffer the consequences of getting covid. The kids don't care about wearing masks. They're used to it and would much prefer wearing masks than being virtual. It is the idiot parents who have turned this into some political and culture war. The timing is nuts.

BI asking for feedback from the students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Are they also polling families on the dress code? Really not sure why parents would get to decide this. Use CDC guidelines and consult with public health agencies and experts.

I agree other parents should not be able to decide what my child does. Dear Bishop - Follow the Governor Let parents parent their own children.

+1 parents should be the ones to decide whether masks are appropriate for their children!

That’s not how public health works.

Right. Next they’re going to claim “parent choice” to enroll their kids in school without a record of measles vaccinations.

And then complain when schools close because of a measles outbreak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Catholic schools will do away with masks if they haven’t already.

I agree its in line with the Bishop's stance on masks a Church - optional.

BI sent an email last night asking parents their preference saying the diocese is considering what to do. I will be livid if they lift the mask mandate with the rate of infections being so high right now.

That’s great news that BI is giving parents a voice.

I think it should be up to the kids and the teachers who are there every day and will suffer the consequences of getting covid. The kids don't care about wearing masks. They're used to it and would much prefer wearing masks than being virtual. It is the idiot parents who have turned this into some political and culture war. The timing is nuts.

BI asking for feedback from the students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Are they also polling families on the dress code? Really not sure why parents would get to decide this. Use CDC guidelines and consult with public health agencies and experts.

I agree other parents should not be able to decide what my child does. Dear Bishop - Follow the Governor Let parents parent their own children.

+1 parents should be the ones to decide whether masks are appropriate for their children!

That’s not how public health works.

Right. Next they’re going to claim “parent choice” to enroll their kids in school without a record of measles vaccinations.

And then complain when schools close because of a measles outbreak.

Elimination of all vaccines is the next step in this particular culture war, and it’s more likely than some of you may think. Before long, we’ll have all sorts of resurgent diseases because FREEDOM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gov. Northam's first EO touching on COVID and schools was unclear about whether it applied to privates. Now Gov. Youngkin is making the same mistake.

Nothing new under the sun.

It’s entirely clear that the new order forbidding schools from barring students on the basis of not wearing a mask applies to both public and private schools. Read the order.

In relevant part:

“2. The parents of any child enrolled in a elementary or secondary school or a school based early childcare and educational program may elect for their children not to be subject to any mask mandate in effect at the child’s school or educational program.

3. No parent electing that a mask mandate should not apply to his or her child shall be required to provide a reason or make any certification concerning their child’s health or education.

4. A child whose parent has elected that he or she is not subject to a mask mandate should not be required to wear a mask under any policy implemented by a teacher, school, school district, the Department of Education, or any other state authority.“

Private schools are clearly “school” under paragraph 4.

Anyone can still wear a mask if they want. What they can’t do is kick others out for choosing not to wear a mask.

Gotta love small government GOP using the state government to interfere in a private schools’ contractual relationship with parents. That one isn’t going to hold up.

1. Nothing about masks in my contact.

2. Just try the “private contract” argument when you want to ban kids on the basis of race. You can’t private contract your way out of legal authority

Being stupid isn’t a protected class.

That would be a great response if “protected class” was the only legal authority of the land. Private parties cannot enter a valid enforceable contract to violate the law.

What is the legal authority that allows the state to regulate private enterprise in this way? Various businesses are headquartered here. If Nestle wants to require masks in its offices, can the state prohibit it? If so, on what authority. I understand schools are different, and the EO cites VA law stating that parents have a fundamental right to make decisions concerning their kids education, but no one it forcing a parent to sent his child to any particular private school. If the parent doesn’t like a mask mandate, or any other rule, that parent can exercise his fundamental right to make decisions regarding his kid’s education by choosing a different private school or sending the kid to public school or homeschooling. And if I don’t want to wear a mask inside any other private business that might want to require them, I can take my business elsewhere. Sorry if I’m missing something, but I don’t think the state can regulate private businesses like this, especially when there are plenty of other options through which a parent disliking masks can exercise fundamental rights to send kid to school that doesn’t require them or homeschool.

I guess the last two years of living subject to executive mandates into every aspect of our private lives — curfews; shuttering gyms; closing restaurants; banning private gatherings over X number of people; etc.

Only now when the mandate goes the other way and enforces individual choice is the concept of government intrusion into private business being questioned? Only now you’re asking this? The precedent has been set.

My private school was all set to go masks optional at the beginning of the year when the governor intruded and required masks, yes for private schools too. But only now when it goes the other way suddenly it’s being questioned?

All of those things were arguably measures taken by the state to protect the public health in a global pandemic and were also instituted by many other governments. The state has pretty broad and flexible power to protect public health in emergencies.

As far as I am aware, there is no corresponding state authority to regulate private enterprise in the way the EO attempts to do with respect to requiring an opt out from masks in private schools, and you do not have a right to a private school education at a particular private school. As far as I can tell, all this does is mean that a school does not HAVE to keep a mask mandate, but it can DECIDE to keep one if it wants to do so. Private businesses have pretty wide authority to set the terms on which they will do business (with some exceptions like those mentioned above). If your school keeps masks and you don’t want your child in a mask, you are then free to exercise your choice to not do business with that school and find another that aligns with your views on masks. Nevertheless, if there is something of which I am unaware that gives the state this power over private business, I’d like to hear it, but no one (including the person who wrote the EO) has actually cited anything to support that proposition. My guess is some schools will go mask optional, and others will keep requiring them.

The state has broad authority to protect the civil liberties of people as well. Especially in the case where private schools that had NO MASK MANDATE before governor blackface forced them to institute mandates, the government has the authority to reverse that policy and undo the damage it did.

You don’t have a civil liberty to not wear a mask in a private business that requires one and particularly in one you are not required to patronize. You do have the civil liberty to take your business elsewhere.

Yes, I do when the mask mandate was only put in place by force of government order (my school had a mask optional policy before the state forced them otherwise). That ship has sailed. Now it’s time to undo the damage.

Im going to stop arguing with you, but that’s not how it works. The only think the EO does is put the decision back on the school. Look, if the only thing that was making your particular school impose a mask mandate was Northam’s EO, then it will probably just go back to mask optional now. And it has the right now to do that, because Youngkin has declared the public health emergency over and removed the state public health mask mandate.

On the other hand, if a private school looks at the current situation and decides it want to maintain its mask mandate, it is within its rights to do that. There is no general civil liberty at stake in the relationship between a private school’s mask mandate and the people who are *voluntarily* deciding to patronize it. Just like you don’t have a civil liberty right to refuse to wear a suit to a restaurant that requires it. Private businesses can impose rules around their operations. If private school was trying to continue the mask mandate only as to people of certain religions or races, or if it could be shown that the mask mandate was disproportionately impacting some protected groups and was in practice a way to exclude those groups, then there might be a civil liberty at stake. But there is no general civil liberty right to refuse to follow a rule like this of general applicability that a private school imposes. If you don’t like it, you are free to change schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Catholic schools will do away with masks if they haven’t already.

I agree its in line with the Bishop's stance on masks a Church - optional.

BI sent an email last night asking parents their preference saying the diocese is considering what to do. I will be livid if they lift the mask mandate with the rate of infections being so high right now.

That’s great news that BI is giving parents a voice.

I think it should be up to the kids and the teachers who are there every day and will suffer the consequences of getting covid. The kids don't care about wearing masks. They're used to it and would much prefer wearing masks than being virtual. It is the idiot parents who have turned this into some political and culture war. The timing is nuts.

BI asking for feedback from the students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Are they also polling families on the dress code? Really not sure why parents would get to decide this. Use CDC guidelines and consult with public health agencies and experts.

I agree other parents should not be able to decide what my child does. Dear Bishop - Follow the Governor Let parents parent their own children.

+1 parents should be the ones to decide whether masks are appropriate for their children!

That’s not how public health works.

Right. Next they’re going to claim “parent choice” to enroll their kids in school without a record of measles vaccinations.

And then complain when schools close because of a measles outbreak.

Elimination of all vaccines is the next step in this particular culture war, and it’s more likely than some of you may think. Before long, we’ll have all sorts of resurgent diseases because FREEDOM.

At this point, I do think there is no limit to their madness. They want to tear it all down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gov. Northam's first EO touching on COVID and schools was unclear about whether it applied to privates. Now Gov. Youngkin is making the same mistake.

Nothing new under the sun.

It’s entirely clear that the new order forbidding schools from barring students on the basis of not wearing a mask applies to both public and private schools. Read the order.

In relevant part:

“2. The parents of any child enrolled in a elementary or secondary school or a school based early childcare and educational program may elect for their children not to be subject to any mask mandate in effect at the child’s school or educational program.

3. No parent electing that a mask mandate should not apply to his or her child shall be required to provide a reason or make any certification concerning their child’s health or education.

4. A child whose parent has elected that he or she is not subject to a mask mandate should not be required to wear a mask under any policy implemented by a teacher, school, school district, the Department of Education, or any other state authority.“

Private schools are clearly “school” under paragraph 4.

Anyone can still wear a mask if they want. What they can’t do is kick others out for choosing not to wear a mask.

Gotta love small government GOP using the state government to interfere in a private schools’ contractual relationship with parents. That one isn’t going to hold up.

1. Nothing about masks in my contact.

2. Just try the “private contract” argument when you want to ban kids on the basis of race. You can’t private contract your way out of legal authority

Being stupid isn’t a protected class.

That would be a great response if “protected class” was the only legal authority of the land. Private parties cannot enter a valid enforceable contract to violate the law.

What is the legal authority that allows the state to regulate private enterprise in this way? Various businesses are headquartered here. If Nestle wants to require masks in its offices, can the state prohibit it? If so, on what authority. I understand schools are different, and the EO cites VA law stating that parents have a fundamental right to make decisions concerning their kids education, but no one it forcing a parent to sent his child to any particular private school. If the parent doesn’t like a mask mandate, or any other rule, that parent can exercise his fundamental right to make decisions regarding his kid’s education by choosing a different private school or sending the kid to public school or homeschooling. And if I don’t want to wear a mask inside any other private business that might want to require them, I can take my business elsewhere. Sorry if I’m missing something, but I don’t think the state can regulate private businesses like this, especially when there are plenty of other options through which a parent disliking masks can exercise fundamental rights to send kid to school that doesn’t require them or homeschool.

I guess the last two years of living subject to executive mandates into every aspect of our private lives — curfews; shuttering gyms; closing restaurants; banning private gatherings over X number of people; etc.

Only now when the mandate goes the other way and enforces individual choice is the concept of government intrusion into private business being questioned? Only now you’re asking this? The precedent has been set.

My private school was all set to go masks optional at the beginning of the year when the governor intruded and required masks, yes for private schools too. But only now when it goes the other way suddenly it’s being questioned?

All of those things were arguably measures taken by the state to protect the public health in a global pandemic and were also instituted by many other governments. The state has pretty broad and flexible power to protect public health in emergencies.

As far as I am aware, there is no corresponding state authority to regulate private enterprise in the way the EO attempts to do with respect to requiring an opt out from masks in private schools, and you do not have a right to a private school education at a particular private school. As far as I can tell, all this does is mean that a school does not HAVE to keep a mask mandate, but it can DECIDE to keep one if it wants to do so. Private businesses have pretty wide authority to set the terms on which they will do business (with some exceptions like those mentioned above). If your school keeps masks and you don’t want your child in a mask, you are then free to exercise your choice to not do business with that school and find another that aligns with your views on masks. Nevertheless, if there is something of which I am unaware that gives the state this power over private business, I’d like to hear it, but no one (including the person who wrote the EO) has actually cited anything to support that proposition. My guess is some schools will go mask optional, and others will keep requiring them.

The state has broad authority to protect the civil liberties of people as well. Especially in the case where private schools that had NO MASK MANDATE before governor blackface forced them to institute mandates, the government has the authority to reverse that policy and undo the damage it did.

You don’t have a civil liberty to not wear a mask in a private business that requires one and particularly in one you are not required to patronize. You do have the civil liberty to take your business elsewhere.

Yes, I do when the mask mandate was only put in place by force of government order (my school had a mask optional policy before the state forced them otherwise). That ship has sailed. Now it’s time to undo the damage.

Im going to stop arguing with you, but that’s not how it works. The only think the EO does is put the decision back on the school. Look, if the only thing that was making your particular school impose a mask mandate was Northam’s EO, then it will probably just go back to mask optional now. And it has the right now to do that, because Youngkin has declared the public health emergency over and removed the state public health mask mandate.

On the other hand, if a private school looks at the current situation and decides it want to maintain its mask mandate, it is within its rights to do that. There is no general civil liberty at stake in the relationship between a private school’s mask mandate and the people who are *voluntarily* deciding to patronize it. Just like you don’t have a civil liberty right to refuse to wear a suit to a restaurant that requires it. Private businesses can impose rules around their operations. If private school was trying to continue the mask mandate only as to people of certain religions or races, or if it could be shown that the mask mandate was disproportionately impacting some protected groups and was in practice a way to exclude those groups, then there might be a civil liberty at stake. But there is no general civil liberty right to refuse to follow a rule like this of general applicability that a private school imposes. If you don’t like it, you are free to change schools.

This is the 100% accurate legal interpretation.

[Anonymous]

Our private is requiring masks be worn, and I believe all the better privates will as well.

[Anonymous]

Currently there is mask requirement in our private. I think during covid surge it makes sense. Outside of covid surge, it can be re-evaluated. Surely the schools must be planning an off-ramp from the mask requirement. It does impede teaching, learning, social emotional development. Masks might have an important role during covid surge emergency. Outside of that, harm-benefit should be considered.

[Anonymous]

I wonder if any schools will give students a *qualified* choice to go maskless by acknowledging the tension between enrollment contracts and going maskless (our school’s contract made us commit to following the school’s covid protocols) - so it may be within the student’s legal right to go maskless, but it constitutes a breach of contract such that the student will not be invited back the next year. Obviously the issue plays out differently at a school that would prefer to make masks optional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Catholic schools will do away with masks if they haven’t already.

I agree its in line with the Bishop's stance on masks a Church - optional.

BI sent an email last night asking parents their preference saying the diocese is considering what to do. I will be livid if they lift the mask mandate with the rate of infections being so high right now.

That’s great news that BI is giving parents a voice.

I think it should be up to the kids and the teachers who are there every day and will suffer the consequences of getting covid. The kids don't care about wearing masks. They're used to it and would much prefer wearing masks than being virtual. It is the idiot parents who have turned this into some political and culture war. The timing is nuts.

BI asking for feedback from the students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Are they also polling families on the dress code? Really not sure why parents would get to decide this. Use CDC guidelines and consult with public health agencies and experts.

I agree other parents should not be able to decide what my child does. Dear Bishop - Follow the Governor Let parents parent their own children.

They are doing exactly what the Governor asked — for schools to talk and listen to parents. But they are giving the same courtesy to students, teachers, and staff. This is what should be happening per the Governor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if any schools will give students a *qualified* choice to go maskless by acknowledging the tension between enrollment contracts and going maskless (our school’s contract made us commit to following the school’s covid protocols) - so it may be within the student’s legal right to go maskless, but it constitutes a breach of contract such that the student will not be invited back the next year. Obviously the issue plays out differently at a school that would prefer to make masks optional.

Sounds fair to me. If by next year my daughter’s private school is still insisting on masks we will leave anyway. And if they are so butthurt that after nearly 2 years if this COVID thing, and after vaccinations and natural immunity, we chose to not make our daughter wear a mask, that they would turn down our tuition dollars because of that … so be it. We have other options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Catholic schools will do away with masks if they haven’t already.

I agree its in line with the Bishop's stance on masks a Church - optional.

BI sent an email last night asking parents their preference saying the diocese is considering what to do. I will be livid if they lift the mask mandate with the rate of infections being so high right now.

That’s great news that BI is giving parents a voice.

I think it should be up to the kids and the teachers who are there every day and will suffer the consequences of getting covid. The kids don't care about wearing masks. They're used to it and would much prefer wearing masks than being virtual. It is the idiot parents who have turned this into some political and culture war. The timing is nuts.

BI asking for feedback from the students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Are they also polling families on the dress code? Really not sure why parents would get to decide this. Use CDC guidelines and consult with public health agencies and experts.

I agree other parents should not be able to decide what my child does. Dear Bishop - Follow the Governor Let parents parent their own children.

They are doing exactly what the Governor asked — for schools to talk and listen to parents. But they are giving the same courtesy to students, teachers, and staff. This is what should be happening per the Governor.

How is it within a Governor’s legal authority to make private schools poll parents about a school’s public health measures? What else can the Governor require a private Catholic school to do? This is a very slippery slope and still seems to be an unlawful order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Catholic schools will do away with masks if they haven’t already.

I agree its in line with the Bishop's stance on masks a Church - optional.

BI sent an email last night asking parents their preference saying the diocese is considering what to do. I will be livid if they lift the mask mandate with the rate of infections being so high right now.

That’s great news that BI is giving parents a voice.

I think it should be up to the kids and the teachers who are there every day and will suffer the consequences of getting covid. The kids don't care about wearing masks. They're used to it and would much prefer wearing masks than being virtual. It is the idiot parents who have turned this into some political and culture war. The timing is nuts.

BI asking for feedback from the students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Are they also polling families on the dress code? Really not sure why parents would get to decide this. Use CDC guidelines and consult with public health agencies and experts.

I agree other parents should not be able to decide what my child does. Dear Bishop - Follow the Governor Let parents parent their own children.

They are doing exactly what the Governor asked — for schools to talk and listen to parents. But they are giving the same courtesy to students, teachers, and staff. This is what should be happening per the Governor.

How is it within a Governor’s legal authority to make private schools poll parents about a school’s public health measures? What else can the Governor require a private Catholic school to do? This is a very slippery slope and still seems to be an unlawful order.

My goodness, no one is talking about legal authority. The comment was based on this exchange between a Governor and a WTOP reporter regarding APS stating students would continue to wear masks: https://mobile.twitter.com/nickwtop/status/1482793696072450048

I wish my school would ask parents as I think the others parents would be surprised that most people are not like the poster who scream about “rags”. It is helpful to know what your constituents feelings are don’t you think? I prefer they hear from everyone (including health professionals), not just those parents who are the loudest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Catholic schools will do away with masks if they haven’t already.

I agree its in line with the Bishop's stance on masks a Church - optional.

BI sent an email last night asking parents their preference saying the diocese is considering what to do. I will be livid if they lift the mask mandate with the rate of infections being so high right now.

That’s great news that BI is giving parents a voice.

I think it should be up to the kids and the teachers who are there every day and will suffer the consequences of getting covid. The kids don't care about wearing masks. They're used to it and would much prefer wearing masks than being virtual. It is the idiot parents who have turned this into some political and culture war. The timing is nuts.

BI asking for feedback from the students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Are they also polling families on the dress code? Really not sure why parents would get to decide this. Use CDC guidelines and consult with public health agencies and experts.

I agree other parents should not be able to decide what my child does. Dear Bishop - Follow the Governor Let parents parent their own children.

They are doing exactly what the Governor asked — for schools to talk and listen to parents. But they are giving the same courtesy to students, teachers, and staff. This is what should be happening per the Governor.

How is it within a Governor’s legal authority to make private schools poll parents about a school’s public health measures? What else can the Governor require a private Catholic school to do? This is a very slippery slope and still seems to be an unlawful order.

My goodness, no one is talking about legal authority. The comment was based on this exchange between a Governor and a WTOP reporter regarding APS stating students would continue to wear masks: https://mobile.twitter.com/nickwtop/status/1482793696072450048

I wish my school would ask parents as I think the others parents would be surprised that most people are not like the poster who scream about “rags”. It is helpful to know what your constituents feelings are don’t you think? I prefer they hear from everyone (including health professionals), not just those parents who are the loudest.

This most definitely is about lawfulness of an executive order the Governor signed on day one in office, and realistically it will need to be resolved in the courts. Whether or not private schools decide to poll families is up to them, not up to the Governor of Virginia. The ease with which some are accepting this government overreach is concerning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Catholic schools will do away with masks if they haven’t already.

I agree its in line with the Bishop's stance on masks a Church - optional.

BI sent an email last night asking parents their preference saying the diocese is considering what to do. I will be livid if they lift the mask mandate with the rate of infections being so high right now.

That’s great news that BI is giving parents a voice.

I think it should be up to the kids and the teachers who are there every day and will suffer the consequences of getting covid. The kids don't care about wearing masks. They're used to it and would much prefer wearing masks than being virtual. It is the idiot parents who have turned this into some political and culture war. The timing is nuts.

BI asking for feedback from the students, parents, teachers, and staff.

Are they also polling families on the dress code? Really not sure why parents would get to decide this. Use CDC guidelines and consult with public health agencies and experts.

I agree other parents should not be able to decide what my child does. Dear Bishop - Follow the Governor Let parents parent their own children.

They are doing exactly what the Governor asked — for schools to talk and listen to parents. But they are giving the same courtesy to students, teachers, and staff. This is what should be happening per the Governor.

How is it within a Governor’s legal authority to make private schools poll parents about a school’s public health measures? What else can the Governor require a private Catholic school to do? This is a very slippery slope and still seems to be an unlawful order.

My goodness, no one is talking about legal authority. The comment was based on this exchange between a Governor and a WTOP reporter regarding APS stating students would continue to wear masks: https://mobile.twitter.com/nickwtop/status/1482793696072450048

I wish my school would ask parents as I think the others parents would be surprised that most people are not like the poster who scream about “rags”. It is helpful to know what your constituents feelings are don’t you think? I prefer they hear from everyone (including health professionals), not just those parents who are the loudest.

This most definitely is about lawfulness of an executive order the Governor signed on day one in office, and realistically it will need to be resolved in the courts. Whether or not private schools decide to poll families is up to them, not up to the Governor of Virginia. The ease with which some are accepting this government overreach is concerning.

I am concerned. My kids will be wearing masks to school, as that is what it safest for the community. I think the schools should find out what their families are feeling on the issue. It helps makes the case even stronger when a majority wants to keep masks!! Especially when the antimask families are SO LOUD about their feelings. Just because I don’t scream and yell doesn’t mean I don’t have an opinion and a preference. A survey allows me to share my thoughts with the school, which they can use as evidence to the antimaskers as “see, you are a minority”. They don’t believe they are the minority, well at least least at my school. The fact that people appreciate a school providing parents a survey doesn’t indicate the Governor is correct with this EO!

[Anonymous]

Didn't read every comment, but curious about how parochial schools will respond. Our school is very pro-mask. But the church it is affiliated with has less than 50% mask wearing during mass. I really have no sense of what the school community would like to see happen - teachers or parents. I personally don't even care that much, I like the extra mask protection but know that the kids don't wear them properly all day anyway, so it seems like theater. I won't be too upset if we have to keep them or if we have to give them up.

But I do wonder if giving up masks makes the exposure notifications different? Right now the school says if the children are masked it's not counted as exposure. So if there are no masks, does that mean every time a child gets covid the whole class has to quarantine? Seems like they need to figure that out before they change the mask policy.