PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police are trying to find out who wrote anti-mask graffiti outside two schools Wednesday morning, on the first day of a temporary post-holiday mask mandate for the School District of Philadelphia.
School staff members found graffiti reading “No mask,” “Let the kids breathe,” and “Kids, don’t wear your mask” on the sidewalks outside Nebinger and Meredith elementary schools in South Philadelphia.
A district spokeswoman says school staff removed the graffiti, and police are looking into the matter.
Wednesday was the first day of a 10-day district mask mandate following the winter break to slow the spread of COVID-19, flu and RSV. The CDC said Philadelphia’s community COVID-19 transmission level is medium.
Superintendent Tony Watlington said the district made the move to follow guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, and is similar to the district’s COVID-19 protocols for the school year.
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Nearby Camden, New Jersey has a high COVID-19 transmission level, according to the CDC. They also have instituted a mask requirement through Jan. 17.
KYW Staff contributed to this report.