Frustrating controversy

I am frustrated by the controversy we are seeing about mask mandates in our schools. I know we all care about our kids. I know, likewise, that among parents there are different points of view on what they might prefer for handing COVID in our schools. Boards of education, however, have a duty to make policy based on what is in the interest for all kids in terms of providing a safe and healthy environment in the schools.

That is why keeping mask requirements in place is a sound policy position. The question of personal choice should not enter into the decision, since not wearing a mask could affect other kids if someone had COVID and was unsymptomatic.

We know COVID is contagious. We know it is airborne. We know that the current omicron strain was shown to be extremely contagious. This is not a situation where not wearing a mask only affects the person who does not wear one.

We know some people get very sick from COVID and some have mild or no symptoms. Though wearing masks is not a guarantee that someone will not get or will not transmit COVID, masks have been shown to reduce the likelihood.

Since wearing masks reduces the potential spread at schools to students, teachers, administrators and support staff, the only sound policy is to keep mask requirements in place while COVID is still prevalent based on information provided from health authorities.

To those who question the policy, erring on the side of mitigating the spread is sound and clearly a better path than letting some have an option to potentially adversely impact the health of others. The health of all kids and others in our schools is clearly more important than changing a policy to accommodate some who don't like it.

Elliott Hartstein

Northbrook