The change comes two weeks after more than 100 physicians in the district petitioned for a tougher policy.
Starting Tuesday, students at three Mason City Schools buildings from pre-kindergarten through grade 6 will have to wear masks inside their schools. The change for younger students comes two weeks after more than 100 physicians criticized the district’s original decision to recommend but not require masks for any students. Staff members within six feet of students and all visitors to the district’s schools previously had to be masked but students did not. Superintendent Jonathan Cooper announced the shift in posts by the district Monday evening on social media and in emails to parents. Some Mason students have been in class since last Thursday, with Monday being the first day that all students were back. «Masks provide a layer of protection that help keep students safe and out of quarantine,» Martin said in a news release from the district. Keeping kids out of quarantine and in class is the goal of the rule change. «It was important for us to get our kids back in schools for us to make some observations about how we are going to navigate this school year.» he said in a video posted on Facebook. «Every decision we make around masks can be very difficult, very personal, very emotional for your family specifically,» he says in the video.
