A few days after millions of students return to classrooms and despite the fact that the coronavirus pandemic is growing uncontrollably and children's hospitals are overwhelmed by infections from minors, the governors of Texas and Florida, two of the states with the highest number of cases, remain determined to prevent schools from being able to force students to wear a mask to protect themselves from COVID-19.
In Florida, Ron DeSantis last week prohibited school districts from adopting that measure, and faced with the challenge of some counties, such as Leon, where the state capital, Tallahassee, is located, this Monday threatened to leave those responsible without salary. educational that disobey their order.
The Leon County order allows exemptions for students who present medical or psychological proof, but does not give parents the authority to decide whether or not their children wear a mask, which is what DeSantis intended.
Florida resumes classes this Wednesday, and for weeks it has recorded the worst number of infections since the beginning of the pandemic, with hospitals in which ambulances have to wait at the doors to find a space for patients due to the uncontrolled growth of the severe cases.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott, also a Republican like DeSantis, passed an executive order in May prohibiting government entities - including counties, cities, school districts or public health authorities - from requiring a mask.
Those who do not comply with the measure can be sanctioned with up to 1,000 dollars in fine.
The city of Dallas requires students and teachers to attend classes with masks
Aug. 10, 202100: 53
However, the Dallas and Austin school districts announced Monday that they will force both their students and school personnel to wear masks.
They thus joined the Houston school district, which had already communicated the adoption of this preventive measure.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins formally asked this Monday that a Texas court stop Abbot's order: "The enemy is not others," he argued, "the enemy is the virus and we must all do everything we can. we can to protect public health. "
"School districts and the government closest to the people must make decisions about how best to keep students and others safe," Jenkins said in a statement, adding that if the ban is not reversed, "many people they will become seriously ill or die unnecessarily. "
["It's frightening". Children's hospitals are filling up due to the increase in COVID-19 cases among children]
Although clinical trials suggest that there will soon be a vaccine for children of all ages, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has so far only authorized immunization for children between the ages of 12 and 17.
The health authorities have been debating for months what is the best formula for students to resume classes in person, but they have left the last decision to educational and local officials.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended last week that students, teachers, educational staff and visitors wear a mask indoors, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not.
With information from NBC, AP and The Texas Tribune
