So, other states are looking at metrics for when masking can end, and I think it's useful for DC to start wrapping its head around that, too. The other states like Maryland and Massachusetts (e.g., not full red states) have set the mask 'off-ramp' when students and staff are 80% vaccinated: https://www.the74million.org/article/vax-up-masks-down-maryland-massachusetts-lead-effort-to-off-ramp-face-coverings-in-school/

I don't think we'll actually see an reprieve in mandated school masking in DC until next school year, when vaccines will be required for nearly all.

Anonymous wrote:are y'all aware there are high risk and immune compromised kids in every school?

yes.

are y'all aware there are high risk and immune compromised kids in every school?

Getting rid of masks also has to come with stopping draconian quarantine policies. I want my kid to mask so she doesn’t get COVID so she doesn’t end of being out for a week or more. I’m not worried about COVID given what we now know that it is mild for those who are vaxxed.

the responses here were not was I was expecting and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Masks need to be gone tomorrow!!!

Anonymous wrote:I do think the total number of omicron cases are not directly comparable to alpha or delta given it is much less severe in those who are vaccinated.

The down trend in cases should make it feasible to remove masks maybe in March? Is that not unreasonable?

The masks need to go, in general. We should not tie them to any more spikes in cases, variants, etc. THEY NEVER WORKED, at any point for the last two years. If they did, California's rates would be much lower than Texas'. If they mattered for children ever, you'd see major differences in infection rates, severity, hospitalizations and deaths among children on a state by state basis, and big differences among US kids vs. other countries that never masked children under 5. Trust the science? Trust the data? Well, there it is, as obvious as ever, for quite some time now.

I do think the total number of omicron cases are not directly comparable to alpha or delta given it is much less severe in those who are vaccinated.

The down trend in cases should make it feasible to remove masks maybe in March? Is that not unreasonable?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today! Get rid of the mask mandates today, immediately. DC daily stats are very low. If someone wants to continue to mask up go ahead, no one will stop you or your child.

Except that the daily stats are not actually very low. They’ve actually plateaued high.

You can’t just make up facts.

Nor can you (make up daily stats). Check https://coronavirus.dc.gov/key-metrics

Umm that shows a weekly case rate of 231.6 /100k. That’s close to as high as ever pre-omicron.

What does the American Academy of Pediatrics say? Or are we not using them as a reference anymore?

Anonymous wrote:No for everybody. Vaccinated or not. This circus needs to stop.

+1 Many kids have had COVID which the CDC admits is as good as the vaccine.

ASAP

the DMV area will be masked for another 2 years while everyone else across the country are dropping the mandates and places across Europe never even had one for children.
People scream they want data and to trust the science but believe they know more than the Johns Hopkins scientist who reported there was little benefits received from all the mask wearing and shut downs.

No for everybody. Vaccinated or not. This circus needs to stop.