We, the undersigned physicians and parents, call on DESE to protect our children by requiring masks in schools for all students and staff this fall. Recent data on the transmissibility of the Delta variant clearly indicate that vaccination alone is NOT sufficient to prevent transmission or illness. In a recent outbreak in Barnstable county, 74% of cases were in vaccinated individuals, including 4 of the 5 currently reported hospitalizations (1). Schools are crowded indoor environments, which are the most conducive to viral spread. In addition, no students under age 12, and less than 60% of those aged 12-19 have been vaccinated in Massachusetts (2). Vaccination rates are lower and COVID case burden higher among historically marginalized communities, meaning that this policy will disproportionately affect communities of color. Cases in Massachusetts are currently doubling weekly due to the Delta variant, which indicates that the community risk will be higher as we enter the school year. The CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. (3,4)  Ignoring the guidance of public health agencies puts our children, families, and teachers in danger. In addition to the serious outcomes of illness, hospitalization, and death that can occur as a failure to apply all available tools against viral transmission, failure to mask will also increase the number of student and teacher absences due to illness, further hampering students’ education. We thank you for your efforts to educate our children and implore you to do everything possible to provide a safe learning environment for all students in the upcoming school year.

References: 1. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7031e2.htm?s_cid=mm7031e2_w 2. https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-vaccination-report-july-29-2021/download 3. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html 4. https://services.aap.org/en/news-room/news-releases/aap/2021/american-academy-of-pediatrics-updates-recommendations-for-opening-schools-in-fall-2021/