Glenbard District 87 following the science

Most of the people who gave public comment at the Feb. 7 Glenbard Township High School District 87 school board meeting were anti-mask and anti-science. They were not well-informed with regard to the science behind the transmissibility of COVID, especially in crowded indoor places, like school buildings.

One individual cited that there were no deaths among schoolchildren in DuPage from COVID. Many parents pleaded for the board to "think about the children." They also claimed, without any evidence, that masks are harming children's social and emotional development because they can't see the facial expression of those they interact with.

I think the mantra should be "think about the community" when it comes to masking. COVID is highly transmissible and there is ample science that a good quality mask worn properly over the nose and mouth can reduce community transmission.

Illinois Department of Public Health reports that the highest number of cumulative COVID cases to date are found in people under the age of 20. Even if there are few deaths among this population, we know that, if they do get infected, they can spread it to older adults and health-compromised people in our community, where the death rate is higher.

The CDC website cites studies that show that the social/emotional impact on youth wearing a mask is likely similar to the impact of interacting with someone whose facial expression is partly shielded by sunglasses.

District 87 gets it right! I applaud them for their measured and science-based approach to addressing the pandemic, and keeping our children and our community safe.

Sandra Alexander

Glen Ellyn