ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - The Orange County School Board has decided to make masks optional in the upcoming school year, with a 7 to 1 vote.
The decision came after a public comment period during which time strong opinions were expressed.
On April 14, 2021, Florida Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran issued a memorandum to all District School Superintendents, the Commissioner asked: "that districts, which currently are implementing a mandated face-covering policy, revise their policy to be voluntary for the 2021-2022 school year."
Just last month, 42 people signed up to give public comment over the school board’s proposed policy to make masking optional on school grounds for the upcoming school year.
RELATED: Fully vaccinated teachers and students don't need masks, CDC says
"Parents should be the ones to decide whether or not their child wears a mask – not a school board," said Willie Montague.
"Without that accommodation, we just won’t have kids with disabilities in school and that’s not acceptable," Judy Hayes said.
RELATED: Orange County Mayor recommends return to wearing masks in some settings
The proposed policy states students, employees, school visitors, or vendors may voluntarily wear a face covering. The board also has the ability to re-implement masking if the CDC or other government entities advise doing so.
In April, State Surgeon General Dr. Scott A. Rivkees issued a Public Health Advisory regarding Covid-19 stating, "scientific studies show that COVID-19 vaccines protect individuals from COVID-19, dramatically diminish hospitalizations and death caused by COVID-19 infection."
He further stated, "due to COVID-19 wide-spread vaccine availability, fully vaccinated individuals should no longer be advised to wear face coverings or avoid social and recreational gathering except in limited circumstances."
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