Governor says Utah won t mandate masks in schools next fall
SOPHIA EPPOLITO and LINDSAY WHITEHURST, Associated Press/Report for America
May 6, 2021
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1of5People protest students wearing masks to school during a rally on Saturday, April 10, 2021, in Farmington, Utah. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Thursday, May 6, 2021, he has no plans to renew the state s mask order for K-12 schools next fall, following months of mounting pressure from parents calling for the mandate s end.Rick Bowmer/APShow MoreShow Less
2of5FILE - In this April 10, 2021, file photo, parents and students protest students wearing masks to school during a rally in Farmington, Utah. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said Thursday, May 6, 2021, he has no plans to renew the state s mask order for K-12 schools next fall, following months of mounting pressure from parents calling for the mandate s end.Rick Bowmer/APShow MoreShow Less
Sophia Eppolito And Lindsay Whitehurst May 06, 2021 - 6:23 PM
SALT LAKE CITY - Utah s governor said Thursday the state has no plans to require masks for students in K-12 schools next fall, following months of mounting pressure from parents calling for the mandate s end.
Republican Gov. Spencer Cox has previously defended his administrationâs decision to mandate masks in schools this school year against parent protests, but now says the state s rising vaccination rates indicate that districts are prepared to limit restrictions.
âWe now have the ability for those that have concerns about the virus to protect ourselves much more,â Cox told The Associated Press. âWe have better masks available and opportunities for people to make those decisions.â
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) â
Utah s governor said Thursday the state has no plans to require masks for students in K-12 schools next fall, following months of mounting pressure from parents calling for the mandate s end.
Republican Gov. Spencer Cox has previously defended his administration s decision to mandate masks in schools this school year against parent protests but now says the state s rising vaccination rates indicate that districts are prepared to limit restrictions. We now have the ability for those that have concerns about the virus to protect ourselves much more, Cox told The Associated Press.
We have better masks available and opportunities for people to make those decisions.
Some states and school systems question the need to stay home, arguing that few students get sick and that the missed days in the classroom take a toll.