Masking of children in Rose Tree Media School District should be voluntary.

Parents and children who feel they need or want to wear a mask in school settings have the choice to do so. It's important that children, families, and parents make these decisions on an individual basis. By signing this petition, you are acknowledging you agree that the wearing of a mask in school is a choice best made by individuals rather than mandated by the school board.

While there is little to no evidence suggesting that universal masking is effective at reducing transmission of a virus, there is substantial evidence that universal masking causes harm to children, such as reduced oxygen supply, inhibited ability to hear and understand the speech of others, and delayed social-emotional learning and literacy due to inability to read facial expressions and mouth movements related to speech. Also, the levels of depression from not being able to have a real understandable conversation with the students peers.

Further, anyone who chooses to wear a mask or undergo readily available vaccination for whom they are approved is free to do so.  

As of 8/25/21, masking is mandated in Rose Tree Media School District. Let's change this! With fear increasing in the community, we want to make it clear that any minimal harm reduction associated with universal masking is far outweighed by the harm caused to our children in psychological, developmental, social, and academic areas.