California will require masks for students in the fall

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California K-12 students who refuse to wear masks inside classrooms and school buildings, as required by new state rules, will be denied entry to their campuses, and provided with another form of education, according to new regulations issued by the state on Monday.

Exceptions will be made for students with special health needs or disabilities.

The state’s rules are based on recommendations issued Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which provide flexibility for states and school districts. Under federal recommendations, for example, a school could allow vaccinated students to attend classes without masks. California opts for a more rigorous and standardized approach, which is also possible under the federal framework.

According to the most recent data collected, 99% of responding school districts stated that they will fully reopen their doors to in-person education by fall 2021.

“This appears to be a safe path to ensure that every student returns to school in the fall,” the government’s Sobet said. From Public Education Tony Thurmond, who reviewed the state’s sanitary rules. “I definitely see the logic of that.”

He added that masks could be particularly useful in schools where physical distancing is more difficult.

“That makes it more defensible that everyone can come back and everyone can be safe,” Thurmond said. “So I see this as a logical measure to enhance safety, while giving everyone the ability to come back.”

“There is also the practical fact that there are students who cannot yet be vaccinated,” he said.

Only those 12 years of age or older are currently eligible for vaccination In addition, many students 12 years of age and older have not been vaccinated, although they do.

Here are answers to some important questions arising from Monday’s updated state rules.

What are the guidelines for schools and parents to follow – those issued by the state or the federal government?

the state. For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “guidelines” refer to recommendations, not mandates. The state’s guidelines released Monday include rules that schools and families must follow. Local health agencies and schools are allowed to adopt their own requirements, which are more stringent than those required by the state.

What if my child forgets to bring a mask to school or loses his mask? What if her mask becomes too dirty or soiled to wear?

The school should provide masks as needed. Bus drivers are also supposed to have masks available.

My child has the right to a public education. What if I don’t want my child to wear the mask?

In this case, the school will not allow the student to enter the campus. The guidelines say, “Schools should exclude students from campus if they are not exempt from wearing a face covering in accordance with California Department of Public Health guidelines and refuse to wear what the school provides.”

What about my child’s right to education?

According to state rules: “Schools must offer alternative educational opportunities to students who have been excluded from campus because they will not wear a face covering.”

My child has a medical condition that prevents him from wearing a mask. What will happen in this case?

Those who are exempt from wearing a face covering due to a medical condition must wear an alternative that is unrestricted, such as a face shield with a curtain on the lower edge, provided their condition allows. Students with more severe limitations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Will students at their desks have to stay 3 feet apart?

This is not a state requirement, although schools and school systems may choose to have a remote requirement as part of a multi-layered security strategy.

Can schools limit students to less than a full day of in-person tutoring in order to enforce physical distancing?

No. Students must have a full school day on campus – provided they are willing to wear masks. When a school’s preferred physical distancing is not feasible, that school can rely on other safety measures, including disinfection, personal hygiene, adequate ventilation, screening for symptoms of illness, and official testing for coronavirus.

If one person in the household was exposed to the coronavirus, would an entire classroom or school be closed?

The state and the CDC want to limit disruptions and have updated rules to limit when and how long students stay in quarantine.

For example, when both an infected student and unvaccinated people wear masks, the infected person may continue to attend school if that student is asymptomatic, continue to be masked and be tested at least twice weekly during a 10-day period.

Close contact may be a person who is exposed to an infected masked individual for more than 15 minutes over a 24 hour period indoors within 6 feet.

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