On Tuesday evening, August 3, the Alachua County School Board will vote on the COVID-19 plan for the coming school year (which begins August 10). Currently, the plan names mask-wearing by all individuals, vaccinated and otherwise, as “strongly encouraged,” but not mandated. “Strongly encouraged” is not enough given the rise in cases and the growing prevalence of the Delta variant. The Delta variant is more dangerous to children and is showing up in an increasing number of breakthrough cases among the vaccinated who can spread it to others even if they are asymptomatic (according to the CDC).
Please consider writing to the ACSB members to insist on the necessity of a mask mandate to keep our children, who have already sacrificed so much, safe and thriving. Mask wearing has thus far been the primary means of keeping children and teachers safe in in-person school, and most children have adapted easily to this simple, and highly effective, change.
The School Board member emails are below. Thank you!
supt@gm.sbac.edu Carlee Simon