When should DC drop its school mask mandate?

[Anonymous]

This gives me some optimism...

I already emailed LaQuandra Nesbitt at DC Health and also my ward's councilmember and his staff, also, (politely) informed them that I will not vote for any officials who continue to place the burden of reducing community spread on young children.

Can't wait to review the DCPS rapid test results once they are released to the public after the break. Assuming case counts stay low, this will be the perfect opportunity for anyone who hasn't already emailed DC Health and their councilmember to do it and put up a stink!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:VA and MD are dropping mask mandates in school. Per CDC guidelines, areas such as DMV, with high vaccinations and low hospitalizations should drop masks.

DC will be pressured to follow soon. Then individual families can decide if they want their kid to wear a mask. Schools with high vaccination rates will likely be majority mask free. Schools with low vaccination rates, I predict many kids in masks. School who don’t even know their vaccination rates, you are working in the dark and don’t understand how families don’t demand to know. Ignorance is not bliss.

I hope this is true. This year has been such a cluster f*ck.

I teach in NOVA and our kids can go mask free March 1st. I think many will forgo the masks. Which is fine because they are mostly I’ll fitted and cotton. We don’t know the vaccination rates at my school, but I assume pretty low. Most kids I teach haven’t been vaccinated. But they’ve also mostly all had COVID or live in a house with someone who had it. So we are all moving on.

Curious, what is the reason your school is giving you for not telling teachers and parents the vaccination rate? I don’t understand what valid reason there is for not being transparent about it.

What are you going to do with that information anyway? Stop sending your kids to school? Transfer? Of course you won't.

Understand risks of transmission, help decide if your kid is going to wear a mask, actively encourage kids and families to get vaccinated, work with the school to host pop up vaccine clinics, among many other things. Ultimately, play the lottery to go to a better school academically and a school whose community aligns with your values in following science during a pandemic. Pull out your child and go private or move especially if you are a high risk family.

You can continue to enable your school leadership to be non-transparent and not accountable if you want. It’s obvious you don’t care but many of us do.

[Anonymous]

DCPS will hopefully have to follow along once MCPS drops their mandate March 8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This gives me some optimism...

I already emailed LaQuandra Nesbitt at DC Health and also my ward's councilmember and his staff, also, (politely) informed them that I will not vote for any officials who continue to place the burden of reducing community spread on young children.

Can't wait to review the DCPS rapid test results once they are released to the public after the break. Assuming case counts stay low, this will be the perfect opportunity for anyone who hasn't already emailed DC Health and their councilmember to do it and put up a stink!

Thank you for emailing them! I really hope more people do this, it’s just unacceptable that DCPS is planning to ignore the CDC after two years of using that as an excuse.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Just got an email from our dcps school that masks are still required for staff, students and visitors on school grounds - outside and inside. So let me get this straight - starting March 1 I can stop wearing my mask inside the grocery store but have to put it back on to pick up my kid from school outside?!?! Does the mayor have the power to stop this nonsense or is it DCPS?

You can thank the parents for this. DCPS wouldn’t feel confident being entirely in opposition to CDC guidelines if they didn’t think the majority of parents were supportive of it.

Time to start making noise if you want things to change.

What’s the best way to make noise? Asking seriously.

I would also like to know. My kids are at a charter, but I'm hoping it'll follow whatever DCPS does. How do we advocate?

Emails, phone calls, petitions to anyone and everyone involved - the mayor, heath officials, school boards, principals, PTAs, your local ANC reps. Basically anyone you can think of in/near DC government who has any platform to speak out in opposition to this.

The only people who have a say on this matter are LaQuandra Nesbitt at DC Health and (possibly to a lesser extent) the mayor. [e-mail]

Doesn’t matter! Yes, definitely, email Nesbitt that’s great. But pressure is pressure. The noisiest parents have gotten their way so far and they weren’t just emailing Nesbitt. Time to make more noise than them.

[Anonymous]

There is a DCPS/OSSE oversight meeting on Weds March 2. You can testify or submit written comments to be part of the official record. Submit them today to tomorrow.
https://dccouncil.us/event/performance-oversight-hearing-committee-of-the-whole-20/

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Just got an email from our dcps school that masks are still required for staff, students and visitors on school grounds - outside and inside. So let me get this straight - starting March 1 I can stop wearing my mask inside the grocery store but have to put it back on to pick up my kid from school outside?!?! Does the mayor have the power to stop this nonsense or is it DCPS?

You can thank the parents for this. DCPS wouldn’t feel confident being entirely in opposition to CDC guidelines if they didn’t think the majority of parents were supportive of it.

Time to start making noise if you want things to change.

What’s the best way to make noise? Asking seriously.

I would also like to know. My kids are at a charter, but I'm hoping it'll follow whatever DCPS does. How do we advocate?

Emails, phone calls, petitions to anyone and everyone involved - the mayor, heath officials, school boards, principals, PTAs, your local ANC reps. Basically anyone you can think of in/near DC government who has any platform to speak out in opposition to this.

The only people who have a say on this matter are LaQuandra Nesbitt at DC Health and (possibly to a lesser extent) the mayor. [e-mail]

When I send an email to her at that address I get the below note. And that contact Tanya d also not there. Seems like they have no interest in hearing from anyone.

Thank you for your email. I continue to receive a high volume of email at this address. I thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as response times may be delayed.

All questions regarding the notice of non-compliance with the District of Columbia Department of Health Vaccination mandate filing requirement, and to inquire about the status of your filing with the Department, your email must be directed to [e-mail].

All questions related to COVID-19 should be sent to [e-mail] and a member of the District of Columbia's Emergency Operations Center will triage the email to the appropriate subject matter expert for a timely response. For the most up to date information regarding COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and other resources, please visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/.

To schedule an appointment/request a meeting, contact Ms. Tanya Bethel, Executive Assistant, at [e-mail].

LaQuandra Nesbitt has been completely unresponsive to parents' concerns throughout the pandemic. When citizens asked for metrics / off-ramps for COVID restrictions in schools this year, including masks and long quarantines, not only did she refuse to provide any, but she claimed she was being "bullied." She is a joke and after writing to her office many times, (as did many other parents I know) she only sends that same canned response. She needs to be held accountable for the fact that she is refusing to provide basic information to the public (parents in particular).

Her claim of being bullied for receiving public feedback demonstrates she's unfit for public office.

[Anonymous]

Can't believe that NYC will drop the mandate before we do. Embarrassing.

[Anonymous]

Newbie here. Will the community based daycares follow DCPS on masks or do they follow other local governance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just got an email from our dcps school that masks are still required for staff, students and visitors on school grounds - outside and inside. So let me get this straight - starting March 1 I can stop wearing my mask inside the grocery store but have to put it back on to pick up my kid from school outside?!?! Does the mayor have the power to stop this nonsense or is it DCPS?

You can thank the parents for this. DCPS wouldn’t feel confident being entirely in opposition to CDC guidelines if they didn’t think the majority of parents were supportive of it.

Time to start making noise if you want things to change.

What’s the best way to make noise? Asking seriously.

I would also like to know. My kids are at a charter, but I'm hoping it'll follow whatever DCPS does. How do we advocate?

Emails, phone calls, petitions to anyone and everyone involved - the mayor, heath officials, school boards, principals, PTAs, your local ANC reps. Basically anyone you can think of in/near DC government who has any platform to speak out in opposition to this.

The only people who have a say on this matter are LaQuandra Nesbitt at DC Health and (possibly to a lesser extent) the mayor. [e-mail]

When I send an email to her at that address I get the below note. And that contact Tanya d also not there. Seems like they have no interest in hearing from anyone.

Thank you for your email. I continue to receive a high volume of email at this address. I thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as response times may be delayed.

All questions regarding the notice of non-compliance with the District of Columbia Department of Health Vaccination mandate filing requirement, and to inquire about the status of your filing with the Department, your email must be directed to [e-mail].

All questions related to COVID-19 should be sent to [e-mail] and a member of the District of Columbia's Emergency Operations Center will triage the email to the appropriate subject matter expert for a timely response. For the most up to date information regarding COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and other resources, please visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/.

To schedule an appointment/request a meeting, contact Ms. Tanya Bethel, Executive Assistant, at [e-mail].

LaQuandra Nesbitt has been completely unresponsive to parents' concerns throughout the pandemic. When citizens asked for metrics / off-ramps for COVID restrictions in schools this year, including masks and long quarantines, not only did she refuse to provide any, but she claimed she was being "bullied." She is a joke and after writing to her office many times, (as did many other parents I know) she only sends that same canned response. She needs to be held accountable for the fact that she is refusing to provide basic information to the public (parents in particular).

Her claim of being bullied for receiving public feedback demonstrates she's unfit for public office.

DC faired remarkably well during the pandemic in terms of hospitalization usage, vaccination rates, and other important factors. Maybe turn the hysteria dial down a bit? She is not your personal health concierge. And she is not refusing to provide basic health information to the public. Get a grip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Newbie here. Will the community based daycares follow DCPS on masks or do they follow other local governance?

It's all about OSSE for our daycare. They will not change a thing until OSSE specifically says "no more masks" or "reduce your quarantine."

Our daycare also still has a 7 day travel quarantine in effect as required because DC never took down the language that it is "recommended" for unvaccinated people. It's insanity.

When DC finally does act on dropping school and daycare mask requirements, OSSE is going to have to be very, very specific that they should be dropped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Newbie here. Will the community based daycares follow DCPS on masks or do they follow other local governance?

It's all about OSSE for our daycare. They will not change a thing until OSSE specifically says "no more masks" or "reduce your quarantine."

Our daycare also still has a 7 day travel quarantine in effect as required because DC never took down the language that it is "recommended" for unvaccinated people. It's insanity.

When DC finally does act on dropping school and daycare mask requirements, OSSE is going to have to be very, very specific that they should be dropped.

Yu Ying is still requiring a 7-day travel quarantine for the unvaccinated (ie, all PK3 and PK4 families) leaving the DMV because of the DC Health “recommendation”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Newbie here. Will the community based daycares follow DCPS on masks or do they follow other local governance?

It's all about OSSE for our daycare. They will not change a thing until OSSE specifically says "no more masks" or "reduce your quarantine."

Our daycare also still has a 7 day travel quarantine in effect as required because DC never took down the language that it is "recommended" for unvaccinated people. It's insanity.

When DC finally does act on dropping school and daycare mask requirements, OSSE is going to have to be very, very specific that they should be dropped.

Yikes. That is disheartening. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just got an email from our dcps school that masks are still required for staff, students and visitors on school grounds - outside and inside. So let me get this straight - starting March 1 I can stop wearing my mask inside the grocery store but have to put it back on to pick up my kid from school outside?!?! Does the mayor have the power to stop this nonsense or is it DCPS?

You can thank the parents for this. DCPS wouldn’t feel confident being entirely in opposition to CDC guidelines if they didn’t think the majority of parents were supportive of it.

Time to start making noise if you want things to change.

What’s the best way to make noise? Asking seriously.

I would also like to know. My kids are at a charter, but I'm hoping it'll follow whatever DCPS does. How do we advocate?

Emails, phone calls, petitions to anyone and everyone involved - the mayor, heath officials, school boards, principals, PTAs, your local ANC reps. Basically anyone you can think of in/near DC government who has any platform to speak out in opposition to this.

The only people who have a say on this matter are LaQuandra Nesbitt at DC Health and (possibly to a lesser extent) the mayor. [e-mail]

When I send an email to her at that address I get the below note. And that contact Tanya d also not there. Seems like they have no interest in hearing from anyone.

Thank you for your email. I continue to receive a high volume of email at this address. I thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as response times may be delayed.

All questions regarding the notice of non-compliance with the District of Columbia Department of Health Vaccination mandate filing requirement, and to inquire about the status of your filing with the Department, your email must be directed to [e-mail].

All questions related to COVID-19 should be sent to [e-mail] and a member of the District of Columbia's Emergency Operations Center will triage the email to the appropriate subject matter expert for a timely response. For the most up to date information regarding COVID-19 testing, vaccines, and other resources, please visit https://coronavirus.dc.gov/.

To schedule an appointment/request a meeting, contact Ms. Tanya Bethel, Executive Assistant, at [e-mail].

LaQuandra Nesbitt has been completely unresponsive to parents' concerns throughout the pandemic. When citizens asked for metrics / off-ramps for COVID restrictions in schools this year, including masks and long quarantines, not only did she refuse to provide any, but she claimed she was being "bullied." She is a joke and after writing to her office many times, (as did many other parents I know) she only sends that same canned response. She needs to be held accountable for the fact that she is refusing to provide basic information to the public (parents in particular).

Her claim of being bullied for receiving public feedback demonstrates she's unfit for public office.

DC faired remarkably well during the pandemic in terms of hospitalization usage, vaccination rates, and other important factors. Maybe turn the hysteria dial down a bit? She is not your personal health concierge. And she is not refusing to provide basic health information to the public. Get a grip.

NP. Hi LaQuandra, if a public official publicly complains about "being bullied" because she is receiving criticism or demands from citizens, it is the public official who needs to turn their hysteria dial down and get a grip.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any sample language that can be used when emailing officials asking them to remove the school mask mandate? Especially updated language that takes into account the CDC’s latest guidance? Thx.