This petition is to recognize the parents of Putnam County Schools students who do NOT want their children to be forced to wear a mask at school or while using school transportation. These are the children who wish to go back to traditional face to face instruction. 
The ever changing CDC recommendations have caused great confusion. The evidence is showing that strict mandates such as wearing masks are not necessary and possibly unsafe for our children, especially with other precautions also in place. 
There is no way to police the cleanliness of the masks that can go unwashed or unchanged for days or more at a time posing a greater health risk. Masks are distracting, especially for small children or those with disabilities or sensory issues. They are problematic for students in programs such as music and athletics. They are not able to work at their full potential with their faces covered.  Masks can potentially contribute to breathing issues, headaches, skin issues, bacterial infections and overheating. A child that is a bus rider or in an extra curricular activity could be faced with upwards of 10 hours per day of facial obstruction. 
Recent studies from both MIT and Stanford have shown masks do little to stop this virus even when worn correctly. States with expired masks mandates have seen a decline in cases. Not one school has had covid spread even in packed gyms or cafeterias when masks aren’t worn. It is time to stop this harmful behavior towards our kids. Please sign this petition so our kids can return to enjoying school, their friends, their teachers, and most of all their learning.