Elementary School in Maryland Reinstates Masks for Third-Graders After COVID-19 Cases
An elementary school in a Washington D.C. suburb in Maryland has decided to bring back masks for third-graders due to a small number of recent COVID-19 cases.
In a widely-shared post, OutKick founder Clay Travis shared a letter allegedly sent to parents at Rosemary Elementary School in Montgomery County, outlining the new mask requirements for all students.
The letter, addressed to parents of students in a specific classroom, explains that “3 or more individuals have tested positive for COVID-19 in [redacted] class in the past 10 days. We are taking the following steps to keep our school environment as safe as possible for in-person teaching and learning.”
School Principal Rebecca Irwin Kennedy states that the N95 mask requirements are being implemented “to prevent further transmission” in that classroom for the next 10 days.
“Additional N95 masks have been distributed, and students and staff in identified classes or activities will be required to wear masks while in school for the next 10 days, except while eating or drinking,” Kennedy wrote. “Masks will become optional again following the 10-day period.”
Kennedy also mentioned that at-home rapid test kits would be sent home and encouraged parents to be vigilant for COVID symptoms.
“At-home rapid test kits will be sent home and made available for students,” Kennedy said, following the CDC guidance that testing should be done “5 days after an exposure (starting day 6),” or when symptoms arise.
In conclusion, the principal assured parents that these new mask rules are in place to “ensure that staff and students remain healthy for in-person learning.”
Rosemary Elementary School did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
As COVID cases increase, experts acknowledge that the virus, in all its forms, is likely here to stay.
“One thing that Americans must understand: SARS-CoV-2 and its variants are never going away,” said Dr. Brett Osborn, a board-certified neurosurgeon in West Palm Beach, Florida. “It is here to stay because its mutation rate is high, just like influenza.”
(Note: This rewritten article does not include the author’s name or date.)