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Several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas have rolled back their masking requirements, putting superintendents and school boards once again on the hot seat on a question that, at least politically, feels un-winnable: Should they hold fast to their own masking protocols in schools?
With states abdicating their role in masking, districts are bearing the full brunt of opinions from resentful parents and fearful teachers. The availability of vaccines for adults and falling rates of the virus have added to the pressure. While public health officials continue to recommend masking, it’s far less clear at what point it will be safe to let guards down more generally.