U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona warned that school efforts to oppose COVID-19 mitigation strategies (such as mandatory masks) are “putting students at risk”, especially in the wake of the new virus. Severe delta variants have surged throughout the county.
Several states-including Florida, Texas, Utah, Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and South Carolina-have tried to ban the wearing of masks in schools at the state level. At the same time, some local officials in these states tried to violate the ban, and many bans also faced legal challenges.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) It is recommended that all schools require students, teachers and staff wear mask When classes are resumed in the coming days and weeks, the spread of new infections will be curbed.
“I firmly believe that we need to take all measures, including our mitigation strategies, to ensure the safety of our students. The data shows us that where they do not follow these mitigation strategies, we put students at risk,” Cardona Tell CBS information’ Face the country In the interview on Sunday.
“We can’t accept it,” the Education Minister asserted.
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Cardona said, “Because of the decision we are making, it is more dangerous for students to stay at home and interrupt their studies.” He warned those who oppose mitigation strategies, such as masks, that they “will harm students.”
Hospitals and doctors across the country have reported that as the Delta variant continues to spread rapidly, the number of children hospitalized with COVID-19 has skyrocketed. The United States now once again averages more than 100,000 new cases of COVID-19 infection every day-the first time in six months. Although vaccinations are easily available across the country, public health experts point out that the surge in population is mainly the unvaccinated population. The vast majority of people who have been hospitalized and died due to COVID-19 have not yet been vaccinated.
Although many states ban wearing masks in schools, the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis, Republicans, have Received substantial criticism In recent days, he has banned such tasks in his state. Even some conservatives criticized DeSantis, who is widely regarded as the presidential candidate nominated by the Republican Party in 2024.
“I’m a conservative. I think your governance works best when you govern in the place closest to the ruled. If a local community has—their intensive care unit is full, the people in the local school see Until they have to stay open, because otherwise the children will miss another year of school, they make policies, then they should listen to the opinions of local officials,” Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, Tell CNN on Sunday When asked about DeSantis’ ban on school wearing masks.
Cassidy is also a doctor. He asserted: “I disagree with Governor DeSantis’ views. Local officials should control this place.”
Weekly newspaper Contacted DeSantis’ press office for comments, but did not receive an immediate response.
