Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics released updated COVID-19 guidelines for the 2021-22 school year recommending that anyone over the age of two wear masks inside schools regardless of vaccination status.
On Tuesday, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention reversed its earlier guidance and now suggests that some who are fully-vaccinated also wear masks indoors. This has caused confusion heading into the school year.
Recently, Massachusetts senator Becca Rausch and many of her colleagues signed an open letter to Governor Charlie Baker urging him to require masks in elementary schools and day care centers come Fall. The Governor responded Wednesday afternoon in a press conference stating, "Massachusetts is in a much better position than the vast majority of the states in this country with respect to how it deals with and is prepared to deal with COVID."
Dara Kennedy and Maya Shwayder will dissect what all this information means for parents, teachers, and child care providers. Guests include:
- Massachusetts senator Becca Rausch
- Bevan Brunelle - Theatre teacher, Holyoke Public Schools
- Merlandie Pierre - Senior at Holyoke High School