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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
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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)
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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
