Lake County schools need to implement a mask mandate. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.

Masks are an important part of slowing the spread. Recent studies have shown that schools that do not require masks have 3.5 times more cases than schools with mask mandates in place. Masking is not a political issue but a public health issue. Masks should not be optional; we are beyond personal choice. Masks should be a requirement that schools must implement to protect everyone. Cases within our schools do not only effect students and staff. Covid spreads throughout families, into our communities and across our county.

Our state has failed to control Covid-19 spread. Our local counties are experiencing very high transmission rates. Increasing cases leads to more hospitalizations and ultimately more death. Our local hospitals, and hospitals across the state are filling to capacity and having to implement crisis care standards. When these are in effect, patient in need of medical care may not receive it. We all need to come together on this issue and offer our county the best chance to slow the spread. We need mask mandates in all Lake County schools.