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* This is yet another case of “Don’t let the facts get in the way of a hot clickbait story.” Last night on WGN TV…
The debate on whether students should wear masks in schools has intensified in many suburban school districts.
The state says it’s in line with the CDC, which recommended masks for anyone not fully vaccinated. Yet, some district parents say they disagree.
For Peter Demos, the discourse over masks in schools strikes a chord. As a parent, he believes districts should control the conversation.
“It’s kind of heartbreaking because you want to do what’s best for your child,” the Lake Zurich District parent said. […]
“To all of a sudden require masks or certain restrictions of putting them on our kids to be allowed to go into the building is just asinine,” Graf said.
For its part, the state board of education says it will follow CDC guidance, which means requiring masks for those not fully vaccinated — and recommending at least three feet distance between students in classrooms— unless it’s a barrier to learning.
As we’ve already discussed (twice), there is no new school mask mandate. This reporter should’ve known that by the time his story aired.
* Meanwhile, in Highland…
Highland students will have the option to attend in-person classes without masks in the fall, after recommendations were released from the state.
Superintendent Mike Sutton released an open letter Monday, July 11, announcing the new policy in response to new recommendations recently announced by the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health. Those recommendations stated masks should be worn by unvaccinated individuals, but the decision on requiring them was left to the individual districts.
“Highland CUSD No. 5 plans to make it clear that masks are recommended but optional for students and staff — vaccinated or not,” Sutton wrote. “The decision to wear a mask or not should lie with the individual, and that is our current plan.” […]
Sutton said he is not in favor of collecting proof of vaccination from students unless it impacts quarantine procedures, or COVID testing in the schools as testing is available through the Madison County Health Department.
Sutton’s letter to parents is here.
As I’ve told you before, this policy could leave the district open to civil lawsuits if there’s an outbreak. But they’re on their own as far as the mandate goes for classes and other activities on their properties.
*** UPDATE *** OK, make that the fourth time…
More than 200 Illinois superintendents have sent letters asking the Illinois State Board of Education and elected leaders to let individual districts decide what works best for their districts when it comes to COVID-19 regulations. #twill https://t.co/IV2CuCREVU
— ILHouseGOP (@ilhousegop) July 14, 2021
This is becoming a misinformation campaign.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:16 am
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== To all of a sudden require masks or certain restrictions of putting them on our kids to be allowed to go into the building is just asinine==
How do these people function on earth?
Comment by SWIL_Voter Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:19 am
~To all of a sudden require masks or certain restrictions of putting them on our kids to be allowed to go into the building is just asinine~
Unless it’s determined to be a good idea in the fall. I appreciate where this guy is coming from, I just think we can’t really make that decision just yet.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:23 am
I’ll never understand all the fury over mask wearing. None of my kids have any issue with wearing one. They don’t like it but they wear one, including my 4 year old who wears it like a champ. There is almost zero chance the Chatham school board will require masks this fall and I will worry every single day that my child will be exposed. The only thing that might change their mind is the liability and possibility of civil lawsuits. I would entertain such a lawsuit if my child caught Covid at school.
Comment by IT Data Guy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:23 am
Rule of Life #2: Ya can’t cure stupid
Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:29 am
— this policy could leave the district open to civil lawsuits if there’s an outbreak —
I so very badly want to see one of these cases go in front of a judge in say, Clay county.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:33 am
“The only thing that might change their mind is the liability and possibility of civil lawsuits. I would entertain such a lawsuit if my child caught Covid at school”
You’re making a big assumption here, which is that modern conservatives are capable of thinking past “did I own the libs?”
I emailed our local superintendent and board (D64) to let them know that if there is not a primary school mask mandate I’ll be selling my house and moving to the district my wife works in, which has already announced that masks will be required for primary students. Done with the nonsense. A country that coddles its dumbest citizens like this has no future.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:34 am
The same people desperate to get their kids back in school full time last year are setting themselves up for failure by pushing back on masking. If you want kids who are unvaccinated to successful stay in school, employ all the mitigation available to keep them safe. These adults remind me on whiney brats who are simply never satisfied.
Comment by Vincent Vega Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:35 am
===…this policy could leave the district open to civil lawsuits if there’s an outbreak. But they’re on their own as far as the mandate goes for classes and other activities on their properties.===
Reminds me of the IHSA… their phony outrage, the “dozens” of angry parents living through their kids… and not finding themselves in a position to be insured.
The liability, they want it, have at it.
Don’t be surprised when the loud minority, again, sees the society going against “freedom” as was the case with school board elections and pandemic angst.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:37 am
It’s willful ignorance. We and our information sources have devolved from journalistic ethics to the willful shilling of the yellow journalism of yore.
Comment by Lt Guv Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:37 am
== If you want kids who are unvaccinated to successful stay in school, employ all the mitigation available to keep them safe. ==
It amounts to a demand that they be allowed to give your kids a disease. But just this one specific one. All the precautions we take for everything else are fine, but COVID? You must accept those germs
Comment by SWIL_Voter Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:38 am
” Liability ” likely a Big Danger
Would doubt that existing Insurance Policies would provide coverage or defense .
Expect School Districts would be fully exposed.
And the PI Lawyers will try to find a loophole and go after the Personal Fortunes of the Supt. and Individual Board Members ( may be hard, but still a Risk … )
Immediate Resignation might be a wise move .
Comment by Red Ketcher Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:52 am
I know they cant do this but ideal would be to require proof of vacination before the kid gets to go to classes without masks. Better yet, just require proof of vaccination for the kid to be enrolled at the school. We already do this for Measles, Mumps, Rubella, etc right?
Comment by Maximus Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 10:54 am
To the update;
The HRaunerites? Utter phonies and disingenuous?
They are a pathetic lot, the press shop pushing this makes things dangerous to the thought of any honest discussion to a deadly global pandemic.
What’s next, the HRaunerites become the Illinois version of anti-vaxx Tennessee…
This is a purposeful misinformation campaign, in hopes the old, angry, white rural folks get all ginned up for … ‘Merica
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:00 am
=Better yet, just require proof of vaccination for the kid to be enrolled at the school.=
I agree but at this point that only works for 12 and over.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:01 am
==This is becoming a misinformation campaign.==
If everyone agreed on the facts then the only debate would be on policy. You can’t be a fringe wingnut if the debate is on policy. Misinformation campaigns are all the fringe wingnuts have.
The dangerous thing is the likes of Sinclair Broadcasting, FOX, CNN and right wing radio thrives on misplaced anger and misinformation.
Comment by don the legend Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:03 am
===“Don’t let the facts get in the way of a hot clickbait story.”===
This will be a daily issue for weeks and months to come. This is exactly what the twitter and facebook is built on. The local news has figured out that clicks are “F’n Golden” and don’t much care where they come from.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:03 am
===This is becoming a misinformation campaign.====
Thinking about it more, that’s been the entire value proposition for the GQP since the orange man was elected, starting with the inaugural crows size
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:09 am
– They are a pathetic lot –
Exactly. Normally I would ignore all of the nonsense, lies and disinformation but the health and safety of my children is in play. If we can’t rally around keeping kids safe, what can we rally around? It’s exhausting, stressful and scary. There is reasoning with these people and some of them are in positions to make decisions that could get my kids sick.
My nightmare is my son contracting it at school and having long covid issues for the rest of his life. To those that say I’m living in fear or just keep them home, I say, nope. There are ways to mitigate the danger but it keeps being ignored out of ignorance.
Comment by IT Data Guy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:09 am
Would love to see an on the record response from Jim Durkin. “Gee, uh, how about that Mike Madigan?”
Comment by Not a Superstar Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:12 am
Just when you think Durkin has control, the kowtowing to Eastern Bloc ridiculousness with a dishonest pressing of misinformation…
… just goes to show…
… they have no problem with Marjorie Taylor Greene, racists, insurrectionists… conspiracy theorists… and if it means pushing a false narrative… they’ll do that too.
Way to go. Congratulations. I believe you, showing *exactly* who you are.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:22 am
===Unless it’s determined to be a good idea in the fall. I appreciate where this guy is coming from, I just think we can’t really make that decision just yet.===
In my area some schools start as soon as August 9th. It isn’t too early.
Comment by historic66 Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:30 am
@IT Data Guy
My wife and I are in the same district. She thinks they will require masks. I pointed out to her this is the same district that was willing to change the entire system up last school year with less then 60 days to go. My money is the board is going to bow to the vocal minority.
Comment by Veggieh8 Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:30 am
“There are ways to mitigate the danger but it keeps being ignored out of ignorance.”
Nope, people have the information. The danger is being ignored out of malice.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:38 am
==It amounts to a demand that they be allowed to give your kids a disease. But just this one specific one. All the precautions we take for everything else are fine, but COVID? You must accept those germs==
Tennessee hears you, and has determined your child needs to be more susceptible to every disease. And it’s not just the South, nor the south of Illinois. The willful, selfish ignorance of some of us will continue to punish all of us.
Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:39 am
==Sutton said he is not in favor of collecting proof of vaccination==
Why is the COVID vaccine so different from every other vaccination that students are required to have. My kid almost got kicked out of school because they, for whatever reason, didn’t have proof of a chicken pox vaccine on record. We can require all sorts of vaccinations for students and they can be denied access to school if they don’t have them, but for COVID - nope. Unbelievable.
It’s absolutely disgusting how the COVID vaccine has been turned into a political football and those that are making it that way by crying foul with regard to anything to do with getting a COVID vaccine should be ashamed of themselves.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:42 am
Not just schools but I would feel more comfortable at work if there was a vaccination requirement for all state and local government employees. Basically requiring vaccination, or proof thereof, by a specified deadline or automatic discharge. No matter what AFSCME or other unions might think on this. Safety comes first.
Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:46 am
== Tennessee hears you, and has determined your child needs to be more susceptible to every disease.==
Yep, I saw that. I’ve run out of adjectives and lost the desire to try to describe or even understand what’s motivating these people. Ignorance? Malice? Power? It just doesn’t matter to me anymore. It’s obviously unsustainable, a ton more people will die needlessly, and whatever this country is at this point can’t possibly last. Just trying to keep my family safe and prepared for the next phase of this ongoing meltdown
Comment by SWIL_Voter Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:48 am
– The danger is being ignored out of malice. –
My bad, this is way more accurate.
– Not just schools but I would feel more comfortable at work if there was a vaccination requirement for all state and local government employees.–
100% agree. I wish the FDA would hurry up and do whatever they need to do to remove the EUA for this vaccine and just approve it outright. I am for vaccine mandates everywhere.
Comment by IT Data Guy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:52 am
===I wish the FDA would hurry up===
Hurrying this would be a disaster. Let it play out.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:53 am
=I appreciate where this guy is coming from=
I don’t. What expertise does he have. His status as a parent? So he and his kid do not like masks. Big deal. There are lots of things I do not like, but that has nothing to do with what is right and smart and safe.
This is what is making the job miserable. 200 knuckleheads signing a letter to be able to make a decision they are not qualified to make, makes it tougher for the rest of us to do the right thing.
The right thing- mask for the unvaccinated, vaccinated masks not required. Proof of vaccine if claiming vaccinated status. That all just seems like common sense to me. But that is why it won’t happen, common sense is dead.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 11:53 am
– Hurrying this would be a disaster. Let it play out. –
Fair enough and that makes sense. I also don’t believe for a second that we will ever have a nation wide Covid vaccine requirement. It’s wishful thinking I guess. One would think that the June data on deaths between vaccinated and unvaccinated would be enough: 99.2 vs .8.
Comment by IT Data Guy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 12:01 pm
There is not a statewide mask mandate for unvaccinated students and teachers, but there should be.
Comment by Eastern Bloc Mitigation Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 12:01 pm
Most of this could be avoided if the adults in school were required to get the vaccine. Ridiculous that districts don’t require the vaccine, just as hospitals in the metroeast are doing.
Comment by Grateful Gail Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 12:22 pm
The hoopleheads strike again.
https://youtu.be/fLDKFjJGorY
Comment by Publius Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 12:30 pm
=Ridiculous that districts don’t require the vaccine=
We are being told that we cannot require the vaccine, by legal counsel and our ROE. So it isn’t ridiculous, it is beyond our authority at this time.
The state requires 8 vaccinations and a eye dr. exam and a dental exam. But the state won’t require the covid vaccine. In the end, this is what is literally killing us.
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 12:42 pm
“Why is the COVID vaccine so different from every other vaccination that students are required to have”
from IDPH
“Illinois state law requires certain immunizations for children and adults enrolled in child care, school, or college. State law also mandates immunizations for adults in specific fields of work (healthcare).”
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 12:42 pm
Yes JS Mill……….very difficult situation for schools, state centers, and correctional centers…..they can’t mandate the vaccine, and the students, residents, and inmates pay the price.
Comment by Grateful Gail Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 12:47 pm
“liability and possibility of civil lawsuits”
Wonder when the insurance companies are going to start writing letter informing school districts that coverage ends if school starts without masks.
Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 1:28 pm
==To all of a sudden require masks or certain restrictions==
I will take this over 5 (to 11) year olds being in the ICU. I read that two of the children in Mississippi are on life support.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 1:47 pm
I don’t see insurance liability as an issue, especially in rural areas. Last school year the testing was spotty and contact tracing a joke. Without either of those, I cannot see a way to pinpoint a case to a specific location.
Comment by Merle Webb Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 1:48 pm
=== I don’t see insurance liability as an issue===
That’s what the IHSA thought.
“We’ll see”
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 1:52 pm
I’m seeing all kinds of chatter on local Facebook pages in the Chicago suburbs with the anti-masker/anti-vaxxer parents riled up against mask wearing this fall for their kids. It’s going to be a big fight in the next several months worth of school board meetings. Hope parents who support mask-wearing are ready to push back on the loud minority.
Comment by Night Rider Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 2:17 pm
Why not use the schools as an opportunity to get children vaccinated?
Comment by Unconventionalwisdom Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 2:21 pm
– Hope parents who support mask-wearing are ready to push back on the loud minority. –
Round one starts tomorrow in Chatham. School starts in about a month and masks are the subject of a special meeting tomorrow night. There is a very loud group of anti-mask parents and a couple board members as well. Should be an interesting watch.
Comment by IT Data Guy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 2:26 pm
I no longer have children in school. If I did they would have their shots and I would expect them NOT to wear masks. That could change based upon new outbreaks.
Comment by Unconventionalwisdom Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 2:30 pm
Chatham just declared its going maskless…
- IT Data Guy - Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 2:26 pm:
Round one starts tomorrow in Chatham. School starts in about a month and masks are the subject of a special meeting tomorrow night. There is a very loud group of anti-mask parents and a couple board members as well. Should be an interesting watch.
Comment by Veggieh8 Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 2:44 pm
I spoke too soon. From an email from the superintendent: “I believe we can safely begin with a mask-optional policy for all students and staff, based on the low rate of infection in our area.”
Cool.
Comment by IT Data Guy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 2:44 pm
==I’m seeing all kinds of chatter on local Facebook pages in the Chicago suburbs with the anti-masker/anti-vaxxer parents riled up against mask wearing this fall for their kids. It’s going to be a big fight in the next several months worth of school board meetings.==
Just wait until Tucker Carlson starts telling them wearing face masks is part of Critical Race Theory.
Comment by Roadrager Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 2:51 pm
===Chatham just declared its going maskless…===
===From an email from the superintendent: “I believe we can safely begin with a mask-optional policy for all students and staff, based on the low rate of infection in our area.”===
Not the same thing. Part of the problem is people reading into something, what they want to hear.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 3:30 pm
== Why is the COVID vaccine so different from every other vaccination that students are required to have. ==
Easy…the other vaccines are FDA approved…this is not.
Comment by Steve in Spfld Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 3:56 pm
=== this is not.===
Narrator: it is approved for use. Hundreds of millions are already vaccinated.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 3:58 pm
=== Easy…===
Houston Methodist won requiring the vaccine.
So there’s that too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 4:05 pm
=Easy…the other vaccines are FDA approved…this is not.=
And when the inevitable FDA approval comes you’ll conjure up another reason to oppose the vaccine. Refusing the vaccine because it’s being administered on a EUA basis is nothing more than an excuse. And told tell me that these newly minted anti-vaxers are well versed in FDA rules and procedures.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 4:51 pm
=== And when the inevitable FDA approval comes…===
Houston Methodist employees learned a hard lesson.
If you’re gonna quibble about a life saving vaccine, you’re not honest to the global pandemic, and Houston Baptist was having none of it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 14, 21 @ 5:03 pm
What about all the kids under 12? They cant be vaccinated. Worried for my granddaughter. She is under twelve and starts school in Chatham Aug 15.
Comment by Pnut Thursday, Jul 15, 21 @ 8:12 am