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Opinion

Cope: We must protect each other from deadly COVID-19 virus, variants in Arizona

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I am thankful that “no mask mandate” did not stand up in court as presented. There are consequences of “no mask mandate” as my grandson found out.

A classmate tested positive for COVID-19. So, other classmates had to stay home from school: for 2 to 3 days to get tested; then another 2 to 3 to receive, hopefully, a negative result so they can come back to school.

This means that the student can miss at least 5 days of school! During this time, the student is missing valuable instruction, assignments and maybe tests — resulting in much work to be made up and possibly a drop in grades.

If the student who had the virus is in multiple classes during the day, then exposure to other students is even greater. What about spreading exposure to teachers and other staff (plus bus drivers, kitchen staff, janitors, etc. I know that there is a shortage of in all of these categories.)?

Then think of all the other people outside the school who may also be exposed if any students get sick because of each student with the virus exposing others. Do we really want the government to ban masks?

Shouldn’t each school district make this decision according to what is deemed best for their district?! If anyone catches the virus from school exposure, think of the ramifications: parents having to miss work, continued spreading of virus to family and friends, and any possible deaths thus bringing so much sorrow to family and friends (as I know from the virus-caused death of my next-door neighbor) — whose fault would all this be?

Can we not all work together to protect one another to the best of our ability (masks, spacing and vaccinations) until the threat of this virus gets significantly lower?