Is it time to have the difficult conversation about masks and MCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Masks aren't a big deal. Stupid politics; they're a cultural norm in Asia.

I am Asian and I hate this BS assertion made by crazy White people in the US.

Masks are NOT the social norm in Asia. Where did you come up with that nonsense?

Exactly. I never had to wear masks at all. But I accept masks as our new normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/data-finds-universal-masking-limits-school-transmission-covid-19-despite-delta-variant

“The findings of this study are extremely encouraging for the health and safety of students and staff attending schools where universal masking is in place,” said Kanecia Zimmerman, MD, MPH, co-chair of the ABC Science Collaborative. “The Delta variant is more transmissible than previous ancestral variants, but transmission in schools can continue to be low with vaccination among those who are eligible, strict adherence to masking, and avoidance of pandemic fatigue.”

"A masking mandate in North Carolina schools during the early weeks of the Delta variant surge resulted in a lower rate of infection among school children and staff members than what was reported in the broader community, according to a new report from the ABC Science Collaborative."

We are now in the late weeks of the Delta variant surge. I'm not saying that the state should lift the school mask mandate tomorrow. I'm saying that mitigation measures put in place while Delta was surging may not be appropriate once the Delta surge is over.

You make too much sense for this board.

Unfortunately, there are too many people in this area who would love to see us mask indefinitely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s time to talk about masks because people are just not ready. I think once the mask mandate for the overall county is gone, people will take a few months to get used to it. I am hoping by spring they will start to let go of some of this anxiety and then our kids can unmask in schools provided MSDe agrees.

Cdc recommends masking at school.

It is clear that the CDC has become a joke. Especially this past year.

It is also clear that MCPS doesn’t always follow what the CDC recommends - just look at the ridiculous quarantine rules MCPS put into play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last couple of months have gone great for MCPS (although last year was such an utter failure when the rest of the country went back that they deserve no kudos).

Over the last few weeks we have had unmasked homecoming, parties, kids are having playdates constantly, and even unmasked lunch in schools. And almost no spread (very minimal at worst).

With the 5 to 11 group set to vaccinated very shortly, when do we start discussing masks? If you are a "mask forever" type please spare me, you are not based in reality or science. This is a serious discussion about when we think it will be safe. That day is coming, and probably sooner than we think. Me? I am think by Jan 2022 masks won't be necessary in schools and MCPS will ultimately have to bow to public pressure.

You need to understand in Montgomery county majority of people want MCPS to have masks on. There will be more public pressure to have masks in school than no masks. Parents will protest, even more than texas and florida parents, if there is no mask mandate. Just stop being selfish and accept the new normal. Masks and vaccine, these keep our lives as normal as possible.

The right-wing extremists that post here are very vocal. I just read an article talking about how they've managed to derail public policy in many jurisdictions despite being a small minority.

Do you truly think that it’s just right-wind extremists who want to make masks optional? Wow. You truly live in a tiny, hyper-liberal bubble if that’s the case.

Many of us are rational people who understand risk and are ready to see ‘masks optional’ become the norm. For SO many reasons, that have nothing to do with politics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These things need to happen before removing masks:
(a) there needs to be an effective post-infection treatment that is widely available. One is pending approval, but that's about it.
(b) a vaccine must be available and administered to children under 5
(c) all children should be required by MCPS to be vaccinated by policy
(d) the variants need to be in a "known" and not "emerging" state. Why? All it takes is one bad mutation and everyone is back to square one.

Until all of the above are a reality - I don't know how anyone can say it's "safe" not to wear a mask (unless you've never been infected so are ignorant, or maybe just a sick troll who lost a child or family member to covid and just want to spread a little holiday cheer to everyone else?). Get real.

OK, well, (d) is certainly never going to happen. So it would probably be helpful for you to adjust your expectations to reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These things need to happen before removing masks:
(a) there needs to be an effective post-infection treatment that is widely available. One is pending approval, but that's about it.
(b) a vaccine must be available and administered to children under 5
(c) all children should be required by MCPS to be vaccinated by policy
(d) the variants need to be in a "known" and not "emerging" state. Why? All it takes is one bad mutation and everyone is back to square one.

Until all of the above are a reality - I don't know how anyone can say it's "safe" not to wear a mask (unless you've never been infected so are ignorant, or maybe just a sick troll who lost a child or family member to covid and just want to spread a little holiday cheer to everyone else?). Get real.

OK, well, (d) is certainly never going to happen. So it would probably be helpful for you to adjust your expectations to reality.

Because vaccines are highly effective both at preventing infection and especially severe disease, including against variants. I know that it is not want you to believe because of either extremist politics or being an introvert, but that is the reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here… the students care way less about masks than psycho parents. Yes, first graders are more mature and respectful than people tasked with being in charge of your kids mental health.

Agreed. My kindergartener whines not at all about masks. Literally never. Unlike most adults.

Because she thinks it is normal.

How low are you willing to set the bar for her?

My teens are both fully vaccinated and wear masks to school with no complaints. We have set the bar very high for them as they are well aware that this is on all of us as a society and not just about individuals. PP’s kindergartner is also learning this. Not sure about your kids though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Masks aren't a big deal. Stupid politics; they're a cultural norm in Asia.

Umm, this isn’t Asia. It’s never going to be Asia. Wtf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last couple of months have gone great for MCPS (although last year was such an utter failure when the rest of the country went back that they deserve no kudos).

Over the last few weeks we have had unmasked homecoming, parties, kids are having playdates constantly, and even unmasked lunch in schools. And almost no spread (very minimal at worst).

With the 5 to 11 group set to vaccinated very shortly, when do we start discussing masks? If you are a "mask forever" type please spare me, you are not based in reality or science. This is a serious discussion about when we think it will be safe. That day is coming, and probably sooner than we think. Me? I am think by Jan 2022 masks won't be necessary in schools and MCPS will ultimately have to bow to public pressure.

You need to understand in Montgomery county majority of people want MCPS to have masks on. There will be more public pressure to have masks in school than no masks. Parents will protest, even more than texas and florida parents, if there is no mask mandate. Just stop being selfish and accept the new normal. Masks and vaccine, these keep our lives as normal as possible.

The right-wing extremists that post here are very vocal. I just read an article talking about how they've managed to derail public policy in many jurisdictions despite being a small minority.

Great, I hope they keep going. We will need to dig out of this wasteland your extremist leftist robot president has put us in in just 9 months. Not sure what’s lower, your IQ or Joe’s approval ratings.

[Anonymous]

Earnest question for the people strongly in favor of masks right now. Let’s say vaccine approved for all ages by around January. Let’s further say that MCPS says vaccine required to attend school. This isn’t out of the question since California has done this. Let’s further say cases plunge. There are still cases but we are talking blue zone maybe 5 cases per 100,000 or less. THEN would you be ok with no mandate though obviously people could still mask if they wanted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here… the students care way less about masks than psycho parents. Yes, first graders are more mature and respectful than people tasked with being in charge of your kids mental health.

Agreed. My kindergartener whines not at all about masks. Literally never. Unlike most adults.

Because she thinks it is normal.

How low are you willing to set the bar for her?

My teens are both fully vaccinated and wear masks to school with no complaints. We have set the bar very high for them as they are well aware that this is on all of us as a society and not just about individuals. PP’s kindergartner is also learning this. Not sure about your kids though.

So cute. You must have one of those all are welcome signs in front of your 1.3m home in a predominately white neighborhood. Your kids really know how to make the world better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The last couple of months have gone great for MCPS (although last year was such an utter failure when the rest of the country went back that they deserve no kudos).

Over the last few weeks we have had unmasked homecoming, parties, kids are having playdates constantly, and even unmasked lunch in schools. And almost no spread (very minimal at worst).

With the 5 to 11 group set to vaccinated very shortly, when do we start discussing masks? If you are a "mask forever" type please spare me, you are not based in reality or science. This is a serious discussion about when we think it will be safe. That day is coming, and probably sooner than we think. Me? I am think by Jan 2022 masks won't be necessary in schools and MCPS will ultimately have to bow to public pressure.

You need to understand in Montgomery county majority of people want MCPS to have masks on. There will be more public pressure to have masks in school than no masks. Parents will protest, even more than texas and florida parents, if there is no mask mandate. Just stop being selfish and accept the new normal. Masks and vaccine, these keep our lives as normal as possible.

The right-wing extremists that post here are very vocal. I just read an article talking about how they've managed to derail public policy in many jurisdictions despite being a small minority.

Do you truly think that it’s just right-wind extremists who want to make masks optional? Wow. You truly live in a tiny, hyper-liberal bubble if that’s the case.

Many of us are rational people who understand risk and are ready to see ‘masks optional’ become the norm. For SO many reasons, that have nothing to do with politics.

So, basically you lack all good judgement and common sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Earnest question for the people strongly in favor of masks right now. Let’s say vaccine approved for all ages by around January. Let’s further say that MCPS says vaccine required to attend school. This isn’t out of the question since California has done this. Let’s further say cases plunge. There are still cases but we are talking blue zone maybe 5 cases per 100,000 or less. THEN would you be ok with no mandate though obviously people could still mask if they wanted?

Vaccines will hopefully be approved in the next month. HOWEVER, that doesn't address those who are still getting covid vaccinated. Its highly contagious and there is no distancing and no precautions in school outside of masking. That's a huge mistake to remove masking. 1 case can cause an outbreak in a classroom, especially unmasked.

[Anonymous]

no - it isn't because this 'conversation' has no value other than to watch people set their hair on fire for sport. you really think MCPS is reading this forum to get a sense of the pulse of the community?

[Anonymous]

State school mask mandate is in effect for 180 days from September 14, 2021, so until March 13, 2022. Unless something changes, I think this mandate isn't going to be removed until at least then.

OP I agree with your premise.