Anonymous wrote:Report - about 90% of the students wore a mask at our school today. Well done. The anti-mask contingent is small and loud. But smarter heads have prevailed.

We were just waiting to see if any kids would go without mask. Now that we know some were brave enough to get it started (in this far-left anti-science area) we will also join them and have our kids go without mask. It's just virtual signaling at this point.

We have a mask policy at work too, but in my office with the door closed I can remove my mask. It’s not the same as forcing kids to wear masks.

Report - about 90% of the students wore a mask at our school today. Well done. The anti-mask contingent is small and loud. But smarter heads have prevailed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington and Alexandria just sued over the EO. What will the diocese do when they get confirmation that the Governor's EO violates state law and therefore isn't in effect?

If—if—a court rules that schools can still require masks, the decision will be appealed. And the Diocese will continue to keep its “mask optional” policy in place. Remember, that was the original Diocese plan for the 2021-22 school year. They only required masks when governor Northam forced them to.

So, sorry - the days of Etsy mask theater are not coming back to the Arlington Diocese.

Freedom is like that - once people get a taste of it, it’s harder to take it away. And there will be no different outcomes in the “mask optional” and “mask requires” schools that would justify a return to taking parents’ freedom away.

No go stew some more about all those “RWNJ” getting away with it. You know that’s what this is all about.

This is the type of case that will be ruled upon on an expedited basis. It will be quick. We'll get to see how closely aligned the Dioceses is to the Republican party. They won't be able to hind behind the EO for long. The NOVA schools will be hurt by many disillusioned parents who will see public school as a better option and/or will stop their typical donations. I think this hurts the Nova Catholic schools more than it helps them.

Again, this is not a “Republican” or “Democrat” thing; it’s a parental rights question.

The Arlington Diocese already has issued plans for a MASK OPTIONAL 2021-22 school year back in August. It wasn’t a “Republican” thing then either—this was before Biden turned COVID into a political wedge issue. The only reason the Diocese ever followed a MASK MANDATE was because then-governor Northam forced them to with his August 2021 executive order.

Regardless of what happens in the court cases, one thing is clear and indisputable—Northam’s mask mandate is gone. The Arlington Diocese will go back to its original plan for the 2021-22 school year: MASKS OPTIONAL.

If I recall, the original plan was to leave it up to the schools to decide. I remember filling out a survey our school sent over the summer asking what our feelings on the topic were. In the end it didn't matter since the governor came out with the mandate (which I was happy about because it took the pressure off the school).

I know of at least one family who has already indicated they'll be leaving, so there might be some turnover but it seems like most people I've talked to aren't so worried that they would consider that necessary. Then again, my kids and their friends are all vaccinated/boosted so it's a slightly older crowd than the families with all pre-K and younger. I can see how that would be a different calculation.

This is exactly why I'm happy about Youngkin's order. Had he not provided for parent choice, our diocesan school would never going to have the strength or fortitude to unmask until COVID is completely irradiated. It has too start somewhere.

May as well have it start with an unlawful order during a Covid surge, right?!

FTFY - may as well have it start when symptoms and mortality are in line with the flu

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My children are so excited to go to school without masks and experience a step closer to a “normal” day for the first time in almost 2 years!

Smiling faces all around tonight at the news that they can stop wearing masks all day every day.

How very loving of you to be thinking of just yourselves! We’ll done, Catholic family!!

Symptoms and mortality are now on par with the flu.

"Mask-up" tyrants getting flustered they're losing control.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington and Alexandria just sued over the EO. What will the diocese do when they get confirmation that the Governor's EO violates state law and therefore isn't in effect?

If—if—a court rules that schools can still require masks, the decision will be appealed. And the Diocese will continue to keep its “mask optional” policy in place. Remember, that was the original Diocese plan for the 2021-22 school year. They only required masks when governor Northam forced them to.

So, sorry - the days of Etsy mask theater are not coming back to the Arlington Diocese.

Freedom is like that - once people get a taste of it, it’s harder to take it away. And there will be no different outcomes in the “mask optional” and “mask requires” schools that would justify a return to taking parents’ freedom away.

No go stew some more about all those “RWNJ” getting away with it. You know that’s what this is all about.

This is the type of case that will be ruled upon on an expedited basis. It will be quick. We'll get to see how closely aligned the Dioceses is to the Republican party. They won't be able to hind behind the EO for long. The NOVA schools will be hurt by many disillusioned parents who will see public school as a better option and/or will stop their typical donations. I think this hurts the Nova Catholic schools more than it helps them.

Again, this is not a “Republican” or “Democrat” thing; it’s a parental rights question.

The Arlington Diocese already has issued plans for a MASK OPTIONAL 2021-22 school year back in August. It wasn’t a “Republican” thing then either—this was before Biden turned COVID into a political wedge issue. The only reason the Diocese ever followed a MASK MANDATE was because then-governor Northam forced them to with his August 2021 executive order.

Regardless of what happens in the court cases, one thing is clear and indisputable—Northam’s mask mandate is gone. The Arlington Diocese will go back to its original plan for the 2021-22 school year: MASKS OPTIONAL.

If I recall, the original plan was to leave it up to the schools to decide. I remember filling out a survey our school sent over the summer asking what our feelings on the topic were. In the end it didn't matter since the governor came out with the mandate (which I was happy about because it took the pressure off the school).

I know of at least one family who has already indicated they'll be leaving, so there might be some turnover but it seems like most people I've talked to aren't so worried that they would consider that necessary. Then again, my kids and their friends are all vaccinated/boosted so it's a slightly older crowd than the families with all pre-K and younger. I can see how that would be a different calculation.

This is exactly why I'm happy about Youngkin's order. Had he not provided for parent choice, our diocesan school would never going to have the strength or fortitude to unmask until COVID is completely irradiated. It has too start somewhere.

May as well have it start with an unlawful order during a Covid surge, right?!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those over 12 have been vaccinated for 7 months but still masked. That age group wants out. I’m not sure they will remain masked

How is a school different from adults required to mask - airport, grocery, etc.

Adults don't do those things for 7 hours a day 5 days a week. Its completely different!

Many adults do.

Signed, Lawyer working in a BigLaw firm (in-office) where masks are required.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was ready to sign off on my 10-year-old son NOT wearing a mask but he strongly refused because he doesn't want the teachers and principal to "hate us"! Smart kid. He said he doesn't mind wearing it.

He is unvaxxed but already had covid.

So sad that he’s been emotionally bullied into wearing a mask so the LWNJ won’t “hate” him. Not because he wants to wear it; not because he believes it’s doing anything; but because he’s afraid of people “hating” your family. So sad.

On the other hand, I don’t mind saying on an anonymous message board that my kids are in the popular crowd, and they and their friends won’t be wearing masks. So I imagine that fewer and fewer students will feel intimidated the way your son feels as time goes by.

If "no masks" are a "popular crowd" thing, I'm certainly fine with my kids not being in that crowd.

Anonymous wrote:My children are so excited to go to school without masks and experience a step closer to a “normal” day for the first time in almost 2 years!

Smiling faces all around tonight at the news that they can stop wearing masks all day every day.

How very loving of you to be thinking of just yourselves! We’ll done, Catholic family!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington and Alexandria just sued over the EO. What will the diocese do when they get confirmation that the Governor's EO violates state law and therefore isn't in effect?

If—if—a court rules that schools can still require masks, the decision will be appealed. And the Diocese will continue to keep its “mask optional” policy in place. Remember, that was the original Diocese plan for the 2021-22 school year. They only required masks when governor Northam forced them to.

So, sorry - the days of Etsy mask theater are not coming back to the Arlington Diocese.

Freedom is like that - once people get a taste of it, it’s harder to take it away. And there will be no different outcomes in the “mask optional” and “mask requires” schools that would justify a return to taking parents’ freedom away.

No go stew some more about all those “RWNJ” getting away with it. You know that’s what this is all about.

This is the type of case that will be ruled upon on an expedited basis. It will be quick. We'll get to see how closely aligned the Dioceses is to the Republican party. They won't be able to hind behind the EO for long. The NOVA schools will be hurt by many disillusioned parents who will see public school as a better option and/or will stop their typical donations. I think this hurts the Nova Catholic schools more than it helps them.

Again, this is not a “Republican” or “Democrat” thing; it’s a parental rights question.

The Arlington Diocese already has issued plans for a MASK OPTIONAL 2021-22 school year back in August. It wasn’t a “Republican” thing then either—this was before Biden turned COVID into a political wedge issue. The only reason the Diocese ever followed a MASK MANDATE was because then-governor Northam forced them to with his August 2021 executive order.

Regardless of what happens in the court cases, one thing is clear and indisputable—Northam’s mask mandate is gone. The Arlington Diocese will go back to its original plan for the 2021-22 school year: MASKS OPTIONAL.

If I recall, the original plan was to leave it up to the schools to decide. I remember filling out a survey our school sent over the summer asking what our feelings on the topic were. In the end it didn't matter since the governor came out with the mandate (which I was happy about because it took the pressure off the school).

I know of at least one family who has already indicated they'll be leaving, so there might be some turnover but it seems like most people I've talked to aren't so worried that they would consider that necessary. Then again, my kids and their friends are all vaccinated/boosted so it's a slightly older crowd than the families with all pre-K and younger. I can see how that would be a different calculation.

This is exactly why I'm happy about Youngkin's order. Had he not provided for parent choice, our diocesan school would never going to have the strength or fortitude to unmask until COVID is completely irradiated. It has too start somewhere.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people in this thread saying masks don’t work when the studies show otherwise? University of Michigan examined masking in schools and found spread was 62% higher in schools without masks.

https://www.abc12.com/coronavirus/university-of-michigan-study-shows-mask-mandates-at-schools-show-lower-covid-transmission-rates/article_9dfcd525-94d5-50cb-9b00-ac1c2171d7fe.html

Where’s the study? Is it peer reviewed? It is science? After the CDC itself had to walk back it’s own cherry-picked “studies” when it was called out for lack of scientific standards, I don’t trust a local news story in Michigan about supposed study.

And here’s another study from North Carolina in the journal Pediatrics showing effectiveness of universal mask wearing in schools.

https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/149/1/e2021054396/183460/School-Safety-Masking-and-the-Delta-Variant

Where’s the study showing they aren’t effective? The Atlantic article doesn’t count.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington and Alexandria just sued over the EO. What will the diocese do when they get confirmation that the Governor's EO violates state law and therefore isn't in effect?

If—if—a court rules that schools can still require masks, the decision will be appealed. And the Diocese will continue to keep its “mask optional” policy in place. Remember, that was the original Diocese plan for the 2021-22 school year. They only required masks when governor Northam forced them to.

So, sorry - the days of Etsy mask theater are not coming back to the Arlington Diocese.

Freedom is like that - once people get a taste of it, it’s harder to take it away. And there will be no different outcomes in the “mask optional” and “mask requires” schools that would justify a return to taking parents’ freedom away.

No go stew some more about all those “RWNJ” getting away with it. You know that’s what this is all about.

This is the type of case that will be ruled upon on an expedited basis. It will be quick. We'll get to see how closely aligned the Dioceses is to the Republican party. They won't be able to hind behind the EO for long. The NOVA schools will be hurt by many disillusioned parents who will see public school as a better option and/or will stop their typical donations. I think this hurts the Nova Catholic schools more than it helps them.

Again, this is not a “Republican” or “Democrat” thing; it’s a parental rights question.

The Arlington Diocese already has issued plans for a MASK OPTIONAL 2021-22 school year back in August. It wasn’t a “Republican” thing then either—this was before Biden turned COVID into a political wedge issue. The only reason the Diocese ever followed a MASK MANDATE was because then-governor Northam forced them to with his August 2021 executive order.

Regardless of what happens in the court cases, one thing is clear and indisputable—Northam’s mask mandate is gone. The Arlington Diocese will go back to its original plan for the 2021-22 school year: MASKS OPTIONAL.

If I recall, the original plan was to leave it up to the schools to decide. I remember filling out a survey our school sent over the summer asking what our feelings on the topic were. In the end it didn't matter since the governor came out with the mandate (which I was happy about because it took the pressure off the school).

I know of at least one family who has already indicated they'll be leaving, so there might be some turnover but it seems like most people I've talked to aren't so worried that they would consider that necessary. Then again, my kids and their friends are all vaccinated/boosted so it's a slightly older crowd than the families with all pre-K and younger. I can see how that would be a different calculation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people in this thread saying masks don’t work when the studies show otherwise? University of Michigan examined masking in schools and found spread was 62% higher in schools without masks.

https://www.abc12.com/coronavirus/university-of-michigan-study-shows-mask-mandates-at-schools-show-lower-covid-transmission-rates/article_9dfcd525-94d5-50cb-9b00-ac1c2171d7fe.html

Where’s the study? Is it peer reviewed? It is science? After the CDC itself had to walk back it’s own cherry-picked “studies” when it was called out for lack of scientific standards, I don’t trust a local news story in Michigan about supposed study.

This is a terrible study because it ran from August to October, when Michigan case-rates were way down. If they ran it again today they'd find that schools with masking (like Detroit) have many more cases, and fully virtual schools (like Flint) would have the highest cases of all! We wouldn't read that of course, because we would say things like "correlation doesn't equal causation", or "you can't run a short-term study on a virus with pronounced seasonality". But if the results run the other way you don't hear that criticism. Odd.

The study also fails to control for level of infection in schools above or below the community at large. That way you'd be able to see if the masks were actually reducing spread, or if a masking policy is just a heuristic for how seriously a community takes COVID in general. If the study did that, they would probably find what CDC and WHO has admitted they've found elsewhere: school case rates reflect or are just below the case rates of the community at large. And once you've shown THAT it would really throw into question whether the masks are actually doing anything.

Anonymous wrote:Why are people in this thread saying masks don’t work when the studies show otherwise? University of Michigan examined masking in schools and found spread was 62% higher in schools without masks.

https://www.abc12.com/coronavirus/university-of-michigan-study-shows-mask-mandates-at-schools-show-lower-covid-transmission-rates/article_9dfcd525-94d5-50cb-9b00-ac1c2171d7fe.html

Where’s the study? Is it peer reviewed? It is science? After the CDC itself had to walk back it’s own cherry-picked “studies” when it was called out for lack of scientific standards, I don’t trust a local news story in Michigan about supposed study.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Arlington and Alexandria just sued over the EO. What will the diocese do when they get confirmation that the Governor's EO violates state law and therefore isn't in effect?

If—if—a court rules that schools can still require masks, the decision will be appealed. And the Diocese will continue to keep its “mask optional” policy in place. Remember, that was the original Diocese plan for the 2021-22 school year. They only required masks when governor Northam forced them to.

So, sorry - the days of Etsy mask theater are not coming back to the Arlington Diocese.

Freedom is like that - once people get a taste of it, it’s harder to take it away. And there will be no different outcomes in the “mask optional” and “mask requires” schools that would justify a return to taking parents’ freedom away.

No go stew some more about all those “RWNJ” getting away with it. You know that’s what this is all about.

Best idea is to wait and see what the court does (and if it affects privates at all), and then wait and see what the diocese does. Nobody on DCUM has a crystal ball as far as I know.