(Pamela Cosel, Headline News) The School District of Philadelphia’s authoritarian bureaucrats have once again resumed their tyrannical requirement that all school children and employees must wear face masks for the remainder of the school year.
Students will also have to cover their faces with masks while riding on school buses and in school vans. The last day of school for students is June 14, according to the district’s website.
Officials argued the mask edict was necessary because COVID cases are increasing in the area, the district explained in a statement.
In February, four lawsuits were filed against the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh school districts after the state’s Supreme Court ended the statewide school masking requirement, reported National Review. The lawsuits claimed that medically vulnerable students were not protected without masks being required. The following month, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the lawsuits.
The current COVID-19 level is classified as “medium,” based on updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on May 19, The New York Times reported. The 14-day count showed the daily average of 395 cases, which was actually in the negative, as the numbers revealed a 3% decrease in the count. Since the pandemic began, 1 in 5 residents have been infected with COVID-19, according to the Times.
A scan of the school district’s Facebook page showed a post on May 20 informing parents of again requiring masks be worn. More than 650 comments were posted, with many parents expressing frustration and confusion over a mandate that seemingly contradicts current science and commonsense.
“Why? Are school-aged children the ones testing positive?” asked one parent.
“Is being in school different than being in any other building where masks are not mandated? Let the parents choose what is best for their kids.”
Another parent posted, “Let me see the numbers of students testing positive.”
The COVID count chart published in the Times showed a spike in late December and early January, but levels that are now as low or lower than last fall.
With the school year nearly over, it seems the district is overreacting, according to parents.
