Students enjoyed just one day without a masking requirement before Milwaukee Public Schools reimposed mandatory mask wearing.
The district’s mask optional policy for students and staff had been slated to take effect on Monday April 18 — students had the day off on Monday and when they returned to school on Tuesday, they were no longer required to mask up. But the newly granted freedom was short lived, since MPS announced on Tuesday that masking would be mandatory once again beginning on Wednesday.
“Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has announced that masks will be mandatory for students and staff in all district buildings. The policy will take effect Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The decision was made after determining a significant transmission of the virus within the city of Milwaukee,” a press release noted.
“The mask policy is in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The district has the option to revert back to a mask-optional policy if it is determined that there is not a significant risk of virus transmission within the city of Milwaukee and/or the school district. Masks will continue to be available for students and staff in all district buildings,” the press release added.
Mask mandates have been controversial during the COVID-19 pandemic — many Americans believe people and parents should be afforded the right to make their own decisions about the issue for themselves and their children.
A U.S. District Judge issued a decision on Monday that slapped down a federal mandate requiring people to mask up on public transportation, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asked the Department of Justice to appeal the ruling.
“To protect CDC’s public health authority beyond the ongoing assessment announced last week, CDC has asked DOJ to proceed with an appeal in Health Freedom Defense Fund, Inc., et al., v. Biden, et al,” a Wednesday CDC statement said. “It is CDC’s continuing assessment that at this time an order requiring masking in the indoor transportation corridor remains necessary for the public health. CDC will continue to monitor public health conditions to determine whether such an order remains necessary. CDC believes this is a lawful order, well within CDC’s legal authority to protect public health.”