BRING MASK CHOICE TO NORTH SHORE SCHOOLS

The New York State mask mandate is set to expire on Feb. 21, 2022. We demand that North Shore Schools and BOE take action:

·        Commit to making masks optional for students. When the decision is reverted back to local control, act on behalf of the parents and students.

·        Share a detailed plan for students. Many Long Island districts have already established a course of action once the restriction is lifted.

·        Hold a public, roll-call vote to extend mask choice to our children. The community has a right to know each trustee’s clearly articulated position ahead of the May election.

Why You Should Support This Petition    

·        Children are the least at-risk cohort. We know that children are the least at risk for serious illness or death from COVID-19.  In New York, only a few previously healthy children have died from Covid-19 since March 2020. That pales in comparison to the number of children who have died from texting while driving.

·        Cloth masks are ineffective. Study after study has shown that cloth masks, currently used by most children in schools, do more harm than good. Cloth masks have been deemed ineffective by the CDC

·        Masks pose a serious mental health risk for students. Numerous studies have shown that the mental health and educational consequences that masking has on children, especially young children, is extremely damaging. Depression and suicide rates are up, with a much higher chance of causing permanent damage to our children.  

·        Vaccination rates are extremely high in Nassau County. Residents have done their part: 96% are vaccinated with at least one dose, and 80% are fully vaccinated. Countries across the world are recognizing that Covid is shifting to an endemic. The UK, Sweden, Denmark and even Denver, Co. have formally abandoned Covid measures. Yet, there is no metric for when masking will end. The only way to get this done is to demand they end it. 

·        Covid infection rates are now plummeting. There were, on a 7-day average average, 34 cases per 100,000 people in Nassau County, as of Feb. 7, 2021 (458 total cases in raw data terms).

·       Data doesn’t support mandatory masking in schools. There is not one scientific study available to support masking kids in school. Vaccination and N-95 masks are available—it is all about individual choice. THIS IS AMERICA.  

PUT AN END TO THE FEAR-MONGERING!

RESTORE COMMON SENSE AND PARENT CHOICE!