With the new delta variant affecting more children in our state and country schools have an obligation to keep our kids and communities safe &healthy while in the absence of their parents care. They also have an obligation to provide a safe &healthy environment for children with disabilities and other medically vulnerable children within their care per the Disability act. 

Mask have been proven to be a safe an effective way of preventing the spread the COVID-19 virus along with other respiratory infections within our communities and schools. 

As a mother of a child with disabilities, whom suffers from a rare genetic disorder called Wiedemann Steiner syndrome along with epilepsy and a member of the special needs community.  I urge Governor Ron Desantis,  The Department of Education , Local School Boards, State Senators,  And State Representatives to take these vulnerable childrens health and safety into account and make mask mandatory for schools. These children depend on the ESE program within their school districts and the federally funded Title programs that offer ( therapies like speech, occupational,  physical and behavioral) within their public school system that online education cannot provide .