Anne Arundel County public schools may require masks as COVID cases surge – CBS Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — During Wednesday night’s Anne Arundel County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent George Arlotto made a recommendation that he and county health officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, was supported.

The recommendation states that if a school has a COVID rate of 5% or more, students and staff will be asked to wear a mask and test at home.

In a statement, the school district says the recommendation isn’t a mandate, but a way to avoid virtual classes or moving students out of a class during a breakout.

Some parents are dissatisfied with the school district’s approach. Parents like Kim Pratta, who attended Wednesday’s board meeting, said: “No more masks; no more testing; no more quarantine.”

And Prata was not alone. Around two dozen showed up to protest the recommendation.

“We are continually putting the burden of this pandemic on the backs of our children,” said Shannon Leadbetter.

In February, the mask mandate in Anne Arundel County public schools was scrapped, the first county in the state to do so.

“They’re smiling again, they’re socializing, it’s amazing the emotional impact it’s had on kids,” said another parent when the mandate was lifted.

The Board did not vote on this recommendation to make it a requirement, but encouraged going ahead.