It appears there are two approaches to masking here.

1) Masks required until data shows us they are not needed.

2) Masks optional unless data shows they are needed.

While I understand the appeal of #1, I think it's the wrong approach with Covid at this point. We are at a stage, after two years of masking/virtual, and now with universally available vaccines, where we need to find our baseline with regards to masking. What's the minimum masking necessary to protect people? A mask optional approach allows anyone who feels more vulnerable to mask, and DC has done a good job of ensuring high quality masks are available for this group -- anyone who wants a free KN95 can get one at this point. But for people who do not feel this is necessary, let's let them unmask unless or until cases indicate we need to mask. The risk is not high, based on both transmission rates and hospitalization rates. It's worth taking to give our kids a chance to go to school unmasked. If it's an abject failure, we'll know pretty quickly and schools can always require masks again. But we need to at least try to go without, especially now when the danger is low, to see what is possible.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DCB masks are mandatory indoors this month but they will re-evaluate on a monthly basis based on citywide and school-wide transmission levels and masks could become optional for, say, October. Masks are optional outdoors. I think the approach makes sense and there are a lot of factors/community members' needs to consider, and I am fine with their decision-making.

Yeah, that’s just words though. If they’re not lifting mask mandates when levels are low, when would they exactly? They have the exact same factors as ever other school in the District (and country for that matter). If they’re not saying EXACTLY what criteria they’re using, you have to assume it’s just lip service and punting the decision.

Are you a DCB parent and have you received communication from them? I believe they *are* saying what criteria they are using, unless I missed something. I wouldn't be shocked if they move to mask optional for next month as transmission rates citywide are low, assuming school-wide rates are not high by the end of the month.

Per Burbio's school mask tracker, less than one percent of school districts nationwide require masks. If unmasking kids presented any problems, you'd think we'd know it by now...

Anonymous wrote:DCB masks are mandatory indoors this month but they will re-evaluate on a monthly basis based on citywide and school-wide transmission levels and masks could become optional for, say, October. Masks are optional outdoors. I think the approach makes sense and there are a lot of factors/community members' needs to consider, and I am fine with their decision-making.

Yeah, that’s just words though. If they’re not lifting mask mandates when levels are low, when would they exactly? They have the exact same factors as ever other school in the District (and country for that matter). If they’re not saying EXACTLY what criteria they’re using, you have to assume it’s just lip service and punting the decision.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What difference does it make? If you are trying to influence your school, don’t bother. The school knows what other schools are doing.

It is early in the day, but, Congrats! You are in the running for dumbest post of the day!!! PP didn't ask if you thought this would be helpful. They simply asked for information. Seems like you had none to offer but still felt the need to chime in. Well played, sir. (And I am certain you are a "sir").

TR is mask optional.

Go have a coffee and relax!

Did you just tell me to "calm down"? I hear you; women are so excitable. Why can't they just sit back, smile and nod their heads while men with NOTHING to contribute feel the need to speak anyway.

DCB masks are mandatory indoors this month but they will re-evaluate on a monthly basis based on citywide and school-wide transmission levels and masks could become optional for, say, October. Masks are optional outdoors. I think the approach makes sense and there are a lot of factors/community members' needs to consider, and I am fine with their decision-making.

MV is mask mandatory and they will re-evaluate in Oct...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What difference does it make? If you are trying to influence your school, don’t bother. The school knows what other schools are doing.

It is early in the day, but, Congrats! You are in the running for dumbest post of the day!!! PP didn't ask if you thought this would be helpful. They simply asked for information. Seems like you had none to offer but still felt the need to chime in. Well played, sir. (And I am certain you are a "sir").

TR is mask optional.

Go have a coffee and relax!

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is mask optional depending on COVID levels
DCB is mask mandatory

Wow to DCB, I didn’t know that. Mandatory masks at this point in a bilingual school is really crazy to me.

Anonymous wrote:LAMB is mask optional depending on COVID levels (and masks have so far not been required and will not be required next week)
DCB is mask mandatory

Clarifying the above

LAMB is mask optional depending on COVID levels
DCB is mask mandatory

YY, Stokes, and TR are all mask optional based on conversations with parents there.

I know it’s not on your list, but I’d add LAMB. I think a family there told me masks are required but that was in August— not sure if that’s changed.

Anonymous wrote:What difference does it make? If you are trying to influence your school, don’t bother. The school knows what other schools are doing.

It is early in the day, but, Congrats! You are in the running for dumbest post of the day!!! PP didn't ask if you thought this would be helpful. They simply asked for information. Seems like you had none to offer but still felt the need to chime in. Well played, sir. (And I am certain you are a "sir").

TR is mask optional.

What difference does it make? If you are trying to influence your school, don’t bother. The school knows what other schools are doing.

I’m trying to get a sense of where my school falls as compared to other charters in the area, and the other thread on this topic is overwhelming.

Inspired - masks required
Lee- masks optional
Yu ying-
Stokes
Two rivers
Mundo verde
DCB
CMI