California will force children to wear masks in schools in the fall, despite federal guidance released last week that recommended against requiring face coverings for kids who are fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19.
“Masking is a simple and effective intervention that does not interfere with offering full in-person instruction,” said California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly in a statement.
“At the outset of the new year, students should be able to walk into school without worrying about whether they will feel different or singled out for being vaccinated or unvaccinated—treating all kids the same will support a calm and supportive school environment.”
“Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated,” the agency said.
No COVID-19 vaccines are currently authorized in the United States for children younger than 12.
The recommendations drew support and negative reactions.
Andrew Noymer, an epidemiologist at the University of California–Irvine, called the masking strategy “sensible policy,” at least “unless and until we have new variants that evade the vaccine.”
Some said no kids, even the unvaccinated, should be made to wear masks.
“The focus should be children and their needs. No masks. Normal, normal ASAP,” said Dr. Shvete Raju, a primary care doctor in Georgia.
California officials said their masking policies stemmed from many schools being unable to accommodate distancing of at least three feet between people, another part of the CDC guidance.
“Given California’s science-based approach and the fact that the state’s school facilities can’t accommodate physical distancing, we will align with the CDC by implementing multiple layers of mitigation strategies, including continued masking and robust testing capacity,” Ghaly said.
CDC guidance is typically not in the form of mandates but has been adopted by many states during the COVID-19 pandemic with few changes.
