Alameda County and the City of Berkeley will no longer require masks in schools and childcare settings later this month.
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Public health officials from both jurisdictions announced the changes in a press release on Thursday, saying they will align with California public health guidance to strongly recommend, rather than require, masks in K-12 schools and childcare settings in this stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alameda County and Berkeley officials said significant decreases in cases and hospitalizations since the omicron variant peak surged in January allowed them to lift the mandate. California officials announced on Monday that March 11 would be the last day the state would require masks in schools.
"These decisions are about science and data, but they are also about the values we hold as one of the most diverse counties in the country," Dr. Nicolas Moss, Alameda County Health Officer, said in a statement. "We are grateful our residents have embraced public health throughout the pandemic."
Officials acknowledged in the announcement that "residents and families have shared their fears" about lifting the school mask mandate, noting "many people who have experienced illness, death of loved ones, fear and trauma during the pandemic are understandably concerned."
Earlier this year, many Alameda County students and teachers publicly expressed discomfort with existing COVID-19 safety protocols, arguing they didn't go far enough.
In January, teachers and students in the Oakland Unified School District staged protests during the peak of the omicron variant, demanding access to higher-quality masks and more regular testing. The district struck an agreement on COVID-19 safety with the Oakland Education Association on Jan. 24.
The Oakland Education Association, Fremont Unified District Teachers Association, Berkeley Federation of Teachers and the Hayward Education didn't respond to KCBS Radio's emailed requests for comment following Thursday's announcement.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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