iStock/virojt(NEW YORK) A North Carolina school board voted Monday to make masks optional for students and staff indoors, even as 430 students are under quarantine. The Harnett County School Board voted 4 to 1 for the optional mask policy Monday and it takes effect Tuesday. Prior to Tuesday, masks were mandatory in the school district, which has more than 19,600 students. The board also voted to pass an amended quarantine policy allowing students exposed to COVID-19 who haven't tested positive to return after seven days instead of 10 days. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that those who are unvaccinated should quarantine at home for 14 days after exposure. However, 10-day or seven-day quarantines are acceptable if combined with testing and a negative test result. According to the school district's COVID-19 dashboard, as of Monday there are 53 positive virus cases among students and 13 among staff. Further, seven staff and 430 students are curre