Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Who are the people to contact at the county level? I think my preschool and others will struggle to go against a strongly worded recommendation regardless of what they think. I can’t find an email address for dr. Bridger and it doesn’t seem the permanent position is going to be filled anytime soon

Well, we are mostly privileged compared to the child care workers. But, you don't formulate public health policy based on what the less privileged party wants. Look at the health-related benefits and risks of the policy, and make a recommendation. This should not be about what your preferred stakeholder wants.

I’m not even sure how many childcare workers are even pushing for this?

This is what I found for Dr. Bridgers: mailto:james.bridgers@montgomerycountymd.gov. As for who else would be relevant
, I’m not are but there are other staff, maybe ek wine else would know.

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/mo/html/moe.html#community

I recommend using the email addresses that come up in this county employee directory. https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/searchphonebook.aspx

Also copy in Earl Stoddard. Also your local Councilmember and his staff plus Council President Gabe Albornoz (and his staff) as well as Councilmember Andrew Friedson and his staff. Friedson seems the most concerned with these types of issues. Albornoz is the chair of the HHS committee.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Who are the people to contact at the county level? I think my preschool and others will struggle to go against a strongly worded recommendation regardless of what they think. I can’t find an email address for dr. Bridger and it doesn’t seem the permanent position is going to be filled anytime soon

Well, we are mostly privileged compared to the child care workers. But, you don't formulate public health policy based on what the less privileged party wants. Look at the health-related benefits and risks of the policy, and make a recommendation. This should not be about what your preferred stakeholder wants.

I’m not even sure how many childcare workers are even pushing for this?

This is what I found for Dr. Bridgers: mailto:james.bridgers@montgomerycountymd.gov. As for who else would be relevant
, I’m not are but there are other staff, maybe ek wine else would know.

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/mo/html/moe.html#community

It may be very few of them that want to keep masks (I'm guessing center directors) and want the DHHS guidance to back them up, but I doubt many if any are lobbying to stop recommending universal masking as it is ultimately their choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Who are the people to contact at the county level? I think my preschool and others will struggle to go against a strongly worded recommendation regardless of what they think. I can’t find an email address for dr. Bridger and it doesn’t seem the permanent position is going to be filled anytime soon

Well, we are mostly privileged compared to the child care workers. But, you don't formulate public health policy based on what the less privileged party wants. Look at the health-related benefits and risks of the policy, and make a recommendation. This should not be about what your preferred stakeholder wants.

I’m not even sure how many childcare workers are even pushing for this?

This is what I found for Dr. Bridgers: mailto:james.bridgers@montgomerycountymd.gov. As for who else would be relevant
, I’m not are but there are other staff, maybe ek wine else would know.

https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/36loc/mo/html/moe.html#community

Anonymous wrote:

Who are the people to contact at the county level? I think my preschool and others will struggle to go against a strongly worded recommendation regardless of what they think. I can’t find an email address for dr. Bridger and it doesn’t seem the permanent position is going to be filled anytime soon

Well, we are mostly privileged compared to the child care workers. But, you don't formulate public health policy based on what the less privileged party wants. Look at the health-related benefits and risks of the policy, and make a recommendation. This should not be about what your preferred stakeholder wants.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good news that MSDE is following CDC guidance. So MoCo and preschool/daycare directors - are you going to be the ones to make sure toddlers and preschoolers and their teachers are the only ones left masking, or are you going to align yourselves with public health guidance?

This was announced a few weeks ago and masking for two and over was always simply recommended. Directors and owners who continue to follow this advice or doing so as a business decision.

What was announced a few weeks ago. I only see the letter posted above, dared March 2 (yesterday).

Yes, we KNOW it is optional. Thank you for repeating that af nauseum. I also know our provider has not surveyed families. And, this decision does impact children's development, so there should be more than just "business" involved.

+1. When I’ve contacted MSDE about this I got similar replies, “oh it’s only recommended, not required!” Just completely missing the point that their recommendations are followed by many providers- and I can’t really blame the providers for doing this, they need something to refer to when making these decisions. This gives them cover to remove the masking requirement, unless of course MoCo comes along with a special recommendation refuting the state and CDC, which is bound to happen.

It makes you feel any better, Montgomery county came out a couple weeks ago and also said masks were no longer required in daycares. Even though they were never really required but their language made it seem like it was. But now they outright said it wasn’t.

Can you provide a link to this please?

People on this thread and others on the topic of daycare covid policies don't understand that each county makes it's own guidance and rules and is not required to follow state guidance.

I received an email.

On February 22 the mask mandate in Montgomery County was lifted for indoor settings, including child care. At this time, they are still required in public schools, public transportation (Metro, Metro Bus, and Ride-On), and in the incorporated cities of Gaithersburg, Takoma Park, and Rockville city buildings.

Despite the mandate being lifted, child care programs can continue to require staff and children or visitors to wear a mask. The County is strongly recommending those in our child care community who have not received their booster continue to wear a mask while in their child care settings.

It was not a link so I’m sorry I can’t provide that.

For those who want to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, watch the County Council session from two days ago. Dr. Bridgers explicitly stated that universal masking is still recommended in child care and that, stunningly, the county plans to create its OWN updated guidance after the CDC and MSDE finish updating their child care specific guidance documents. Montgomery County always has to be special. I am assuming they want toddlers and preschoolers to mask indefinitely, and if that turns out to be true I will never listen to a word they say ever again.

JFC. I am so sick of this county and don’t understand why they are always pulling sh-t like this. So Dr. Bridgers is the one to write to then? And county council members?

I mean sure but I don't think it will matter. Honestly I think they will dig in solely to show that they can and to stick it to people they perceive as "privileged". Nevermind questions about how effective masks as worn by toddlers are in these settings or the very real developmental concerns. The fact that ASHA is seeing increased rates of speech delays is nothing for us to worry our pretty little heads about right?

Which is funny that they view parents using group childcare as privileged, when it’s generally more affordable than a nanny or even nanny share. I never thought I’d see the day where a group of progressive democrats seem to have it out for working families so much but that’s happened time and again in MoCo during this pandemic.

Who are the people to contact at the county level? I think my preschool and others will struggle to go against a strongly worded recommendation regardless of what they think. I can’t find an email address for dr. Bridger and it doesn’t seem the permanent position is going to be filled anytime soon

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good news that MSDE is following CDC guidance. So MoCo and preschool/daycare directors - are you going to be the ones to make sure toddlers and preschoolers and their teachers are the only ones left masking, or are you going to align yourselves with public health guidance?

This was announced a few weeks ago and masking for two and over was always simply recommended. Directors and owners who continue to follow this advice or doing so as a business decision.

What was announced a few weeks ago. I only see the letter posted above, dared March 2 (yesterday).

Yes, we KNOW it is optional. Thank you for repeating that af nauseum. I also know our provider has not surveyed families. And, this decision does impact children's development, so there should be more than just "business" involved.

+1. When I’ve contacted MSDE about this I got similar replies, “oh it’s only recommended, not required!” Just completely missing the point that their recommendations are followed by many providers- and I can’t really blame the providers for doing this, they need something to refer to when making these decisions. This gives them cover to remove the masking requirement, unless of course MoCo comes along with a special recommendation refuting the state and CDC, which is bound to happen.

It makes you feel any better, Montgomery county came out a couple weeks ago and also said masks were no longer required in daycares. Even though they were never really required but their language made it seem like it was. But now they outright said it wasn’t.

Can you provide a link to this please?

People on this thread and others on the topic of daycare covid policies don't understand that each county makes it's own guidance and rules and is not required to follow state guidance.

I received an email.

On February 22 the mask mandate in Montgomery County was lifted for indoor settings, including child care. At this time, they are still required in public schools, public transportation (Metro, Metro Bus, and Ride-On), and in the incorporated cities of Gaithersburg, Takoma Park, and Rockville city buildings.

Despite the mandate being lifted, child care programs can continue to require staff and children or visitors to wear a mask. The County is strongly recommending those in our child care community who have not received their booster continue to wear a mask while in their child care settings.

It was not a link so I’m sorry I can’t provide that.

For those who want to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, watch the County Council session from two days ago. Dr. Bridgers explicitly stated that universal masking is still recommended in child care and that, stunningly, the county plans to create its OWN updated guidance after the CDC and MSDE finish updating their child care specific guidance documents. Montgomery County always has to be special. I am assuming they want toddlers and preschoolers to mask indefinitely, and if that turns out to be true I will never listen to a word they say ever again.

JFC. I am so sick of this county and don’t understand why they are always pulling sh-t like this. So Dr. Bridgers is the one to write to then? And county council members?

I mean sure but I don't think it will matter. Honestly I think they will dig in solely to show that they can and to stick it to people they perceive as "privileged". Nevermind questions about how effective masks as worn by toddlers are in these settings or the very real developmental concerns. The fact that ASHA is seeing increased rates of speech delays is nothing for us to worry our pretty little heads about right?

Which is funny that they view parents using group childcare as privileged, when it’s generally more affordable than a nanny or even nanny share. I never thought I’d see the day where a group of progressive democrats seem to have it out for working families so much but that’s happened time and again in MoCo during this pandemic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good news that MSDE is following CDC guidance. So MoCo and preschool/daycare directors - are you going to be the ones to make sure toddlers and preschoolers and their teachers are the only ones left masking, or are you going to align yourselves with public health guidance?

This was announced a few weeks ago and masking for two and over was always simply recommended. Directors and owners who continue to follow this advice or doing so as a business decision.

What was announced a few weeks ago. I only see the letter posted above, dared March 2 (yesterday).

Yes, we KNOW it is optional. Thank you for repeating that af nauseum. I also know our provider has not surveyed families. And, this decision does impact children's development, so there should be more than just "business" involved.

+1. When I’ve contacted MSDE about this I got similar replies, “oh it’s only recommended, not required!” Just completely missing the point that their recommendations are followed by many providers- and I can’t really blame the providers for doing this, they need something to refer to when making these decisions. This gives them cover to remove the masking requirement, unless of course MoCo comes along with a special recommendation refuting the state and CDC, which is bound to happen.

It makes you feel any better, Montgomery county came out a couple weeks ago and also said masks were no longer required in daycares. Even though they were never really required but their language made it seem like it was. But now they outright said it wasn’t.

Can you provide a link to this please?

People on this thread and others on the topic of daycare covid policies don't understand that each county makes it's own guidance and rules and is not required to follow state guidance.

I received an email.

On February 22 the mask mandate in Montgomery County was lifted for indoor settings, including child care. At this time, they are still required in public schools, public transportation (Metro, Metro Bus, and Ride-On), and in the incorporated cities of Gaithersburg, Takoma Park, and Rockville city buildings.

Despite the mandate being lifted, child care programs can continue to require staff and children or visitors to wear a mask. The County is strongly recommending those in our child care community who have not received their booster continue to wear a mask while in their child care settings.

It was not a link so I’m sorry I can’t provide that.

For those who want to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, watch the County Council session from two days ago. Dr. Bridgers explicitly stated that universal masking is still recommended in child care and that, stunningly, the county plans to create its OWN updated guidance after the CDC and MSDE finish updating their child care specific guidance documents. Montgomery County always has to be special. I am assuming they want toddlers and preschoolers to mask indefinitely, and if that turns out to be true I will never listen to a word they say ever again.

JFC. I am so sick of this county and don’t understand why they are always pulling sh-t like this. So Dr. Bridgers is the one to write to then? And county council members?

I mean sure but I don't think it will matter. Honestly I think they will dig in solely to show that they can and to stick it to people they perceive as "privileged". Nevermind questions about how effective masks as worn by toddlers are in these settings or the very real developmental concerns. The fact that ASHA is seeing increased rates of speech delays is nothing for us to worry our pretty little heads about right?

Amazing news from Fernwood- hoping our preschool follows suit. Otherwise we will leave for a school with more rational and science based policies in line with public health guidance.

Below is the section of the email mentioning it...


Dear Fernwood Families,

We appreciate your continued support and partnership as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. It has truly been a community effort to keep everyone safe and keep Fernwood open these past two years. It has been no small feat and we are grateful to all of you for your efforts, sacrifices and support.

As previously mentioned, Fernwood Montessori takes its guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) as well as the Office of Child Care (OCC).

Yesterday MSDE and the MDH released new Interim K-12 School and Child Care COVID-19 Guidance. This guidance allows us to align our prevention strategies with the new CDC recommendations.


Here is our updated COVID-19 mitigation guidance:


· We will begin mask-optional on March 4, 2022. While we are cautiously opening up to mask-optional, there will be some who will continue to choose to wear masks while at school. That decision will be honored, and warmly welcomed, throughout our community. Should health conditions become highly contagious again, we know how to pivot back to requiring masks for a period.

· Admittance Policy: We will no longer be requiring quarantining after travel. We do ask that your child tests negative before returning to school if you have traveled outside the DMV. If your child is late for school (past 8:45am), please come to the Elementary Door (far end of the building) and ring the doorbell. Someone will come to receive your child.

· Strict wellness policy: We will no longer be conducting the health screening upon arrival. However, if your child is showing any signs or symptoms of illness, whether they are COVID-19 related or not, your child should stay home to prevent the spread of illness. If you child is showing signs or symptoms related to COVID-19 please administer an at-home test or take your child for a PCR test. A negative test is required to return to school. If you are in need of an at-home test, please let us know and we will provide one to you.

· Isolation and quarantine guidelines: The Maryland Department of Health and Maryland State Department of Education shared new school and childcare guidelines that went into effect late January. See here for the guidelines. We will share any new updates as they become available.

· Return to mask requirement: There may come a time when all students are required to wear masks once again. We will continue to monitor conditions and recommendations which affect our community and our students, and make changes to our policies as needed.



Thank you for continuing to follow best practices to keep our entire community safe and well during these evolving times. We appreciate all your support!


In Health and Peace,

Elizabeth Mohan
Head of School

Anonymous wrote:Fernwood Montessori announced an end to mandatory masking beginning tomorrow. Big high five to the school leader for having the courage so many others in our area lack!

That’s amazing. Is this posted somewhere credible that I can forward to our school?

Fernwood Montessori announced an end to mandatory masking beginning tomorrow. Big high five to the school leader for having the courage so many others in our area lack!

Anonymous wrote:This, for me, is the straw that has broken the camel's back. This county is crazy and I am 100% behind getting more moderates into elected office. These people have gone off the rails.
- a former Elrich voter that will vote for Blair in this year's primary

I think there are a lot of people like you. I love this county because it is so Liberal. Liberal is defined in the dictionary as “open to new things”, not this reactionary politicized nonsense. Let’s create some new rules so we can be more restrictive than anyone else as that makes us better people- why? Health policy shouldn’t be made by politicians on either side.

Bottom line- MOCO powers that be care more about political posturing and ideological purity than the welfare of kids. Public health should be nuanced and balance all the risks. Enforced masking is just a political show!

This, for me, is the straw that has broken the camel's back. This county is crazy and I am 100% behind getting more moderates into elected office. These people have gone off the rails.
- a former Elrich voter that will vote for Blair in this year's primary

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good news that MSDE is following CDC guidance. So MoCo and preschool/daycare directors - are you going to be the ones to make sure toddlers and preschoolers and their teachers are the only ones left masking, or are you going to align yourselves with public health guidance?

This was announced a few weeks ago and masking for two and over was always simply recommended. Directors and owners who continue to follow this advice or doing so as a business decision.

What was announced a few weeks ago. I only see the letter posted above, dared March 2 (yesterday).

Yes, we KNOW it is optional. Thank you for repeating that af nauseum. I also know our provider has not surveyed families. And, this decision does impact children's development, so there should be more than just "business" involved.

+1. When I’ve contacted MSDE about this I got similar replies, “oh it’s only recommended, not required!” Just completely missing the point that their recommendations are followed by many providers- and I can’t really blame the providers for doing this, they need something to refer to when making these decisions. This gives them cover to remove the masking requirement, unless of course MoCo comes along with a special recommendation refuting the state and CDC, which is bound to happen.

It makes you feel any better, Montgomery county came out a couple weeks ago and also said masks were no longer required in daycares. Even though they were never really required but their language made it seem like it was. But now they outright said it wasn’t.

Can you provide a link to this please?

People on this thread and others on the topic of daycare covid policies don't understand that each county makes it's own guidance and rules and is not required to follow state guidance.

I received an email.

On February 22 the mask mandate in Montgomery County was lifted for indoor settings, including child care. At this time, they are still required in public schools, public transportation (Metro, Metro Bus, and Ride-On), and in the incorporated cities of Gaithersburg, Takoma Park, and Rockville city buildings.

Despite the mandate being lifted, child care programs can continue to require staff and children or visitors to wear a mask. The County is strongly recommending those in our child care community who have not received their booster continue to wear a mask while in their child care settings.

It was not a link so I’m sorry I can’t provide that.

For those who want to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, watch the County Council session from two days ago. Dr. Bridgers explicitly stated that universal masking is still recommended in child care and that, stunningly, the county plans to create its OWN updated guidance after the CDC and MSDE finish updating their child care specific guidance documents. Montgomery County always has to be special. I am assuming they want toddlers and preschoolers to mask indefinitely, and if that turns out to be true I will never listen to a word they say ever again.

JFC. I am so sick of this county and don’t understand why they are always pulling sh-t like this. So Dr. Bridgers is the one to write to then? And county council members?

Anonymous wrote:Preschools are a private business. Don't like it, find a new preschool.

While that is true, as a parent I expect my preschool to follow public health guidance and will team up with other parents to let the school know that's our expectation. You are free to do the same.