Log in

Opinion

Doctor: Face masks needed in schools as coronavirus delta variant spreads

Posted

On Monday, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled the Arizona law banning COVID-19 mask mandates in schools is not yet in effect and Phoenix Union High School District could continue requiring masks. This ruling allows schools that have not yet implemented universal masking to do so immediately and without fear of breaking the law at least until Sept. 29.

Universal masking could help Arizona contain the current COVID-19 surge right now and keep schools open to in-person learning.

The Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and its membership of over 1,100 pediatric health care professionals strongly advocates that all policy considerations for school plans should start with the goal of keeping students safe and physically present in schools.

In-person learning provides countless benefits to students, including crucial socialization, access to nutrition and mental health resources, and learning tools that are unavailable in virtual learning. The best way to ensure that our kids can stay back in the classroom, remain healthy and start thriving again is through universal masking in schools.

Universal masking in the school setting has been shown to greatly reduce the risk of COVID-19 so that schools can safely deliver face-to-face education even when social distancing is difficult.

Without a way to easily monitor vaccination status among students and school staff, universal masking allows for consistent messaging and simplified enforcement.

About AzAAP

AzAAP is the state’s leading professional pediatric organization dedicated to promoting the physical, mental and social health and well-being of every Arizona child. Representing more than 1,100 health care professionals including pediatricians, nurses, dentists, psychiatrists, hospital administrators and other allied health practitioners, AzAAP aspires to the highest standards in providing the latest evidence-based and current recommended guidelines to its members.

AzAAP also works year-round to educate and engage lawmakers, parents, school professionals, community caregivers and all who impact the lives of children with the goal of fostering a statewide focus on promoting child health preventive care and wellness.

For more information, call (602) 532-0137 ext. 402 or visit www.azaap.org.

Editor’s note: Dr. Mary Rimsza is chairwoman of the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Advocacy Committee. She is a lifelong Arizona resident, pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist.