Democrat-led States End School Mask Mandates
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Democratic governors in four states — Oregon, Delaware, New Jersey, and Connecticut — recently made plans to end statewide mask mandates for schools.
The changes come as cases of the Omicron variant fall substantially from record highs, and as more Democratic leaders seek to end politically-fraught mandates. The CDC has not spoken out against the states' decisions, but still recommends masking for students and faculty in K-12 schools. Not all states are ending mandates; a New York Health Department spokeswoman said this week that the state's mandate for schools "is expected to be renewed" later this month.
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From the Left
4 states announce they're dropping mask mandates for schools
Oregon is the latest state to set plans to lift its statewide mask mandate for schools, following earlier announcements Monday from New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware.
The loosening guidelines are signs that the four states are changing how they manage the COVID-19 pandemic as cases from the omicron surge continue to subside.
Oregon health officials announced Monday its end date for indoor mask requirements for public places and inside schools is March 31.
"The evidence from Oregon and around the country is clear: masks save lives by slowing the spread...
From the Right
New Jersey Dem Governor Ends School Mask Mandates
New Jersey Democratic governor Phil Murphy is ending his state's school mask mandates, signaling that some Democratic officials are ready to move away from politically fraught coronavirus restrictions.
Murphy announced on Sunday he would scrap the mask mandates on Monday afternoon, though the policy won't take effect until March, the New York Times first reported. As vice chairman of the National Governors Association, his decision will likely influence other state governors. Some have already made the move. Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf (D.) ended his state's school mask mandate in January, even as coronavirus case...
From the Left
As states plan to lift school mask mandates, CDC remains vague on updating its guidance 
As many states see declines in their daily Covid-19 case numbers and hospitalization rates, some have moved forward with plans to lift a significant mitigation measure: mask mandates in schools.
The moves go against guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the agency has remained mum about the states' decisions, simply telling CNN on Monday that it still recommends universal masking for all in schools.
However, some public health experts have questioned whether it's time for the CDC to update its school guidance, especially as the...
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