Florida’s Mask Mandate Ban Now Officially Blocked—But State Will Still Try To Punish Schools

Florida’s ban on school districts imposing mask mandates is now no longer legally enforceable as a ruling striking down the state policy took effect Thursday—but the Florida Department of Education still intends to move forward with its plans to withhold funding from schools that have mask mandates by immediately appealing the ruling.

Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper ruled Friday the state’s policy restricting school mask mandates was unlawful, and issued a permanent injunction blocking the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) from enforcing the policy—but the ruling only took effect...