Buffalo, NY (WBEN) A new school year is just a month away and as the CDC recommends mask wearing for those inside schools come fall, there are discussions on the pros and cons of wearing masks in the classroom.
Niagara Falls Superintendent Mark Laurrie says concerns are being heard. "There was a real natural downturn in student communication when masks are on," says Laurrie. "Teachers told us the kids are quiet, they're not interacting with each other. Normally you go to a classroom, you expect to it be lively, but now you see nothing. Kids are just sitting there quietly with their masks on. That's not what school is about."
Laurrie says kids should be learning core areas, but also how to interact with others. He also believes decisions on mask wearing should be made locally. "Given the choice of wearing a mask in school or not being in school, we'd do that, but there's a great deal of benefits for kids to communicate, share and learn with each other," says Laurrie.
Michael Cornell of the Erie-Niagara Superintendents Association agrees with Laurrie. "We've hit the point in the pandemic where a lot of these decisions should be made by superintendents and local school boards," says Cornell.
Cornell says outbreaks in areas with high rates of vaccination are localized. "School districts have all the tools they need to deal with a localized COVID outbreak, whether we have to have mask mandates or do some type of physical distancing or go remote for some period of time," notes Cornell.
Dr. Michael Cummings says masks are difficult for kids to keep wearing during the school day. "That's especially for those with developmental disabilities, those with autism," says Cummings.
Cummings agrees with Cornell and Laurrie about interaction concerns. "Young kids are learning how to understand body language at that age, and that's difficult wearing a mask in a pre-school setting," says Cummings. He says a mask mandate will cause more anxiety among teachers, parents, and students.