Anonymous wrote:Could someone explain the basis for mask wearing as a violation of religious beliefs?

People are being disingenuous. They don't want to do it and are using religion as an excuse.

Could someone explain the basis for mask wearing as a violation of religious beliefs?

Mask Policy Update: Tuesday, August 30

With the declining local COVID-19 positivity rates, CEO Dr. Monica Goldson announced the mask-optional policy will resume in all PGCPS facilities on Tuesday, September 6. All staff, students and families are encouraged to support personal decisions on mask-wearing.

When responding to public health threats such as COVID-19, Maryland school districts have flexibility in determining mask-wearing policies. PGCPS will continue to make health and safety decisions in consultation with health experts.

Ending on Sept 6th according to the PGCPS site.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PG County schools are short a LOT of teachers. Anything we can do to keep teachers from needing to use sick leave at this point would be a great idea.

I'd rather amp up classroom ventilation though. Teaching with a mask on truly sucks.

This assumes masks actually work. Most teachers also don’t want to wear them as evidenced by the lack of teachers who elect to wear them when given a choice. Perhaps the reason they’re having a hard time recruiting.

The teacher shortage has little to do with Covid policies. It’s low pay, unreasonable work, and constant disrespect keeping people from teaching.

We just heard that is will be mask options next Tuesday (after Labor Day)

To be honest, most teachers were barely wearing masks today.. The kids mostly did wear masks in my school.

Anonymous wrote:There are a few super blue areas that are doing this.

But they are getting flamed pretty hard on social media.

Outside of PG (who has instituted it) and MoCo (who hasn't yet, but we could all see them doing it), I doubt the other MD school systems would do it

It will be interesting to compare PGCPS outcomes with other local districts to see if this helped.

I cannot understand how PG county gets away this BS. IT’s unconscionable.

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t PG County currently at a Low Risk Level for Covid per the CDC? I wonder what metric PGCPS is using?

They made the mandate when PG was at high risk. I suspect that if it stays low they will eliminate the mandate in a couple of weeks.

Anonymous wrote:PG County schools are short a LOT of teachers. Anything we can do to keep teachers from needing to use sick leave at this point would be a great idea.

I'd rather amp up classroom ventilation though. Teaching with a mask on truly sucks.

This assumes masks actually work. Most teachers also don’t want to wear them as evidenced by the lack of teachers who elect to wear them when given a choice. Perhaps the reason they’re having a hard time recruiting.

Isn’t PG County currently at a Low Risk Level for Covid per the CDC? I wonder what metric PGCPS is using?

You can stop requiring masks if you want teachers to stay.

PG County schools are short a LOT of teachers. Anything we can do to keep teachers from needing to use sick leave at this point would be a great idea.

I'd rather amp up classroom ventilation though. Teaching with a mask on truly sucks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We wrote a religious exemption letter.

Curious to hear if they consider that. It hasn't in other instances.

This is an opinion piece on claiming religious exemptions.. I'm not particularly religious but I agree with most of what they are saying.
"Claiming religious freedom insincerely cheapens and trivializes a vital Biblical doctrine and constitutional right and involves believers in casually bearing false witness. We are concerned that abusing religious freedom this way could backfire, undermine support for it, and possibly motivate policymakers to redefine and constrict religious freedom in the future. We firmly believe no one should claim a religious exemption from mask mandates that they do not actually believe in."

https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2021/09/77675/

Anonymous wrote:We wrote a religious exemption letter.

Curious to hear if they consider that. It hasn't in other instances.