Superintendent Browning and School Board Members:

In light of the extremely high rates of community transmission of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant and the current guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control, we call on Superintendent Browning and the Pasco County School Board to require masks for all students, teachers, staff, and visitors. 

Without a vaccine currently available for our children under 12, and the continued spread of the highly-transmissible Delta variant, the risk to our children is now greater than it was last fall when many more protective measures and education options were in place. COVID's Delta variant is approximately twice as transmissible as the original virus, yet Pasco County Schools is now offering less protection to our children and our community.

We urge you to re-evaluate your optional mask policy with consideration of expert medical guidance and local data.

Signed,
Pasco County Community