(WWJ) The Oakland County Health Department has issued an emergency health order to implement an indoor universal mask mandate for all schools and daycares.
Emergency Health Order 2021-1 applies to all students four years old or older in elementary, middle, high or vocational schools; regardless of vaccination status.
None of the three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for children under the age of 12. The Pfizer vaccine received full FDA approval on Monday for ages 16 and older. It remains available for 12 to 15-year-olds through Emergency Use Authorization.
Last week, a mask mandate was issued for all school employees whether they'd received the vaccine or not.
“Our top priority is keeping students in school for in-person learning. Masking is one of the best defenses against increased transmission of COVID and higher hospitalization rates among kids,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said in the release. “This order allows teachers to get back to educating our students and focusing on their success.”
COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are increasing among children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). A report from the AAP said over 180,000 children tested positive nationwide between the week of August 12 and August 19, an increase of 60,000 over the previous week.
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The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists Oakland County at "substantial risk" for transmission of the virus (the second worst level), especially the Delta variant. The Oakland County Health Department said, of the more than 2,700 cases reported in the first two weeks of August, about one in six were among school-aged children.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) reports 16 children are hospitalized statewide with a confirmed case of the virus. MDHHS does not list any children in the Intensive Care Unit.
The Oakland County Health Department said immunization, social distancing, hand washing, staying home when sick, and avoid high-risk activity are additional tools to prevent spread of the virus. A recent study out of North Carolina found that masking helped reduce the spread by 40 to 70%, they said.
The order does not apply to:
-Those eating or drinking.
-Children under the age of four years (supervised masking is recommended for children who are at least two years old).
-Anyone living with developmental conditions for whom it has been demonstrated that the use of a face covering would inhibit the person's access to education (those with Individualized Education Plan, Section 504 Plan, Individualized Healthcare Plan or equivalent).
-Vaccinated teachers working with children who are hard of hearing or students with developmental conditions who benefit from facial cues.
-Persons who have a medical reason confirmed in writing from a physician
This Emergency Order goes into effect right away and remains so until Oakland County's transmission rate is categorized as "moderate" (it's currently "substantial") and remains so for at least fourteen days, or until further notice from the Oakland County Health Officer.
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