ODH recommending unvaccinated students wear masks in the classroom
The beginning of the 2021–2022 school year is just a month away.
TOLEDO, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Health is now recommending unvaccinated students wear masks in the classroom at the start of the 2021–2022 school year in the fall. With the Delta variant now the dominant strain of COVID-19 in the U.S., some virus restrictions are now being reinstated, including mask mandates in select areas.
“All signs point to this increase in cases being a result of the Delta variant, which is even more contagious,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Director of the Ohio Department of Health.
Vanderhoff says with some students not yet eligible to receive the vaccine, masks will still come in handy, stopping spread of the virus in its tracks.
“COVID-19 vaccines simply offer the best protection against COVID-19, followed by masks, with layered safety measures like social distancing,” he added.
The CDC says it will leave all decision-making to officials on the local level, as not every part of the country is in the same place with regard to COVID-19 and its variants. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, in an interview with KTNV, said that the decision to reinstate mask mandates should be left up to local officials.
“That’s going to be a local jurisdictional question and policy. But what I will say is individuals really do need to protect themselves, regardless of the policy,” Walensy said.
For the latest data regarding vaccinations here in the state, visit gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.
