This is emblematic of how deeply flawed the process (and substance) has been for SB 739, the mask-optional bill. Rushed through both chambers in under a week, with no testimony or input from public health experts and no exceptions for changing conditions.

We have to keep our schools open; our students cannot afford another round of disruption. We must also continue to make decisions with our health experts at the table. ow.ly/vq0Z50HT0xw

All students, regardless of who they are or where they live, should be able to go to school in person. Call it what it is: This is an effort to take the decision away from school districts to shape policies & make accommodations that allow ALL kids to attend school safely.

80% of the GA doesn't directly rep Ffx & FCPS is funded primarily by local taxpayers, yet the GA is not allowing decisions like masking (for starters) to be made by our schools. Local gov exists for a reason - we know our communities best. That’s a cause I’m standing behind.

Jeff McKay The majority of FCPS parents agree with maintaining universal masking. Unfortunately, the loudest voices are the ones who are always interviewed and yelling at elected officials. Thank you for standing up for us, Mr. McKay. ♥️🤍💙

You are not a public health champion if you think kids < 5 getting COVID is an acceptable price to pay for anything

Thank you CDC Director for prioritizing the safety of our families. Community transmission remains high, treatments are not yet widely available, and young children still can't be vaccinated. Continuing to wear a mask is smart, safe, and shows you care about others. ♥️ #MaskUp

SB 739 will hurt kids, and even though there's not much FCPS can do, I hope come March 1st my peers will continue to wear masks. It's a sad day for fighting COVID-19 in our schools.

This is not about forcing a universal, permanent masking requirement upon schools. It’s not about accommodating students whose disabilities do not allow them to wear masks. Those students have always been able to request and receive accommodations as necessary.

All students, regardless of who they are or where they live, should be able to go to school in person and receive the supports and services they need to be successful. Children with disabilities are NOT expendable, and we will continue to fight for them.

- @MaryKaderaAPS Chalkbeat Arlington Public Schools Arlington County Fairfax Schools 🌟 @stella_pekarsky @HunterMillFCPS It’s frustrating knowing the new normal is thousands get infected every year; large number of sick kids and staff WILL be inside our schools infectious for at least a day, maybe more. Viral respiratory particles take hours to leave rooms w/o more filters. The future is full of 🦠

The 1-year impact of Covid on mental health disorders is profound, as shown this comprehensive assessment of >150,000 people (21,000 not hospitalized), 90% men, w/ controls bmj.com/content/376/bm… The BMJ Ziyad Al-Aly, MD Test Account Veterans Health

"Now, a giant new study shows people who contracted COVID-19 faced substantially higher risks of neuropsychiatric ailments 1 year later, including brain fog, depression, and substance use disorders." Science Magazine by Meredith Wadman nytimes.com/2022/02/16/hea… Pam Belluck

For those demanding a return to normal Our previous normal harmed many of those who have the least resources Those most eager to return are those who benefited most from that ‘normal’ But the society we had before #covid19 was destined to fall against a pandemic Demand better

When you read commentary on tossing out COVID protections, consider the following: - overstatement of harms of mitigation -false dichotomies / analogies - narrow sourcing - data cherry picking - emphasis on individualism - dismissal of people vulnerable to disease outcome

Data suggest BA.2 variant is "30-50% more contagious than Omicron" & new preprint showed "that BA.2 may have features that make it as capable of causing serious illness as older variants of Covid-19, incl. Delta." "detected in 74 countries & 47 US states" cnn.com/2022/02/17/hea…

🗣️ Going to school in person should not be a privilege only for kids who are not immunocompromised.

Virginia is trying to pretend COVID doesn't matter anymore. No free rapid test kits in stock at libraries. Meanwhile in MD and DC free tests are abundant. #headinthesand