(WWJ) Masks will be mandated, starting immediately, at all schools in Wayne County.
The Wayne County Public Health Department on Friday issued a new order mandating that local school districts, schools and daycares require students, faculty, staff and visitors to wear a face mask while in school and during school-sponsored indoor events.
Specifically, the order directs schools and daycare providers to:
· Require indoor wearing of face masks for all pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students, regardless of their vaccine status; and,
· Require face masks be worn indoors by all teachers, administrative staff, other employees, parent/guardians, attendees, and volunteers.
Last week, Wayne County Public Health officials issued “strong recommendations” that all school districts implement a COVID-19 safety plan that includes a universal mask requirement. With Friday's order, wearing a mask while indoors is now mandatory for all students, staff, employees and visitors at public, private and parochial educational settings, including daycare centers, throughout Wayne County.
This comes after mask mandates were issued for the Detroit Public Schools district, and also all schools in Oakland County.
In neighboring Macomb County, however, masks will be "optional" when schools starts next week.
Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said he wanted to offer parents and students freedom of choice, well also encouraging "personal responsibility."
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer praised the Wayne County announcement, noting that it brings the total number of school districts in Michigan with a mask mandate to 179 ... covering more than 674,000 students or 53.8% of students in traditional public schools in Michigan.
The governor released the following statement:
“After 19 months of COVID, the science is clear: vaccines and masks keep kids safe and help them continue learning in person.
“On vaccines, the message is simple: every eligible Michigander 12 and older should get their safe, effective, and FDA-approved, vaccine to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their community.
“On masks, both the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC have strongly recommended that districts require masks for students, teachers, and staff in schools regardless of vaccination status because it will allow them everyone to stay safe while continuing to learn and grow in-person. I agree with our top health experts.
“As of today, 179 districts totaling over 53% of Michigan students, are covered by mask requirements implemented by their school district or local county health department. That number has increased substantially over the last few weeks, and we expect to see that trend continue as the first day of school approaches.
“Districts and local public health leaders should keep working together to implement mask guidelines and create buy-in at the community level, which leads to better outcomes and better adherence to policies that keep kids, teachers, staff, and parents safe.
“Together, we can protect ourselves from COVID and ensure kids keep learning in-person.”
Meanwhile, Wayne County health officials are also promoting the COVID-19 vaccine for those who are old enough (ages 12 and up).
Walk-in vaccinations are free, and available to residents at Wayne County clinics for both initial shots and boosters. Appointments as well as arrangements for in-home booster for homebound residents can be made by calling 1-866-610-3885 or text "WAYNE VAX" to 48355.
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