SEE THE LATEST UPDATES HERE

---

One of the things parents will be watching closely is the mask mandates in schools due to COVID-19. Here is what we know various jurisdictions have announced as of early August 2021:

Requiring masks for students and staff:

• Baltimore County
• Baltimore City
• Charles County
• Frederick County
• Howard County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George’s County

Encouraging the use of face masks by students and staff who are not vaccinated:

• Queen Anne’s County

Sources:

• Scott E’s Blog: Howard County Public School System will require masks in school buildings for all students, staff and visitors, regardless of vaccination status
• WBAL: Face masks to be required in some Maryland schools in fall
• Fox 5 DC: School Mask Mandates: What you need to know in DC, Maryland and Virginia

###

Breaking down the vaccination numbers (eligible age 12+ fully vaccinated) in the jurisdictions noted above:

• Howard County (80.3% – ranked 1st)
• Montgomery County (76% – ranked 2nd)
• Frederick County (68.4% – ranked 3rd)
• Baltimore County (67.8% – ranked 4th)
• Charles County (56.6% – ranked 14th)
• Prince George’s County (56.3% – ranked 15th)
• Baltimore City (53.7% – ranked ranked 16th)

 

• Queen Anne’s County (61.7% – ranked 10th)

###

I will watch out for further announcements from other jurisdictions in Maryland (especially central Maryland).

One of the things I will be very interested in…will the “mask mandates” imposed this year have parents rethink returning their students to schools this next year? We know there was a significant drop in enrollment in the 2020-2021 school year. Many expect a great number of students to return this year…but now I wonder if the mask requirement reduces the number expected to return. I will be watching the September numbers for Howard and Carroll Counties and may put out updates on school enrollment numbers.

Scott E