az grown good to know
AzAAP: Staff and students should
WEAR FACE MASKS this SCHOOL YEAR
THE ARIZONA CHAPTER of the American
also said universal masking is “the best
the United States, the CDC revised its
Academy of Pediatrics’ masking
and most effective strategy” to prevent the
masking guidelines to say even vaccinated
recommendations are at odds with a recent
spread of COVID in schools, because the
people should wear masks indoors in areas
state law and executive order restricting
vaccine status of students, teachers and
where COVID transmission is high. The
Arizona schools from imposing mask
staff “is difficult to monitor.”
CDC continues to encourage ages 12 and
mandates in classrooms. The nonprofit,
“Arizona’s decisions regarding return
up to get vaccinated against COVID-19
which represents the views of 1,100 Arizona
to school should be guided by data and
as the best way to end the pandemic and
pediatric health care professionals, says all
science and take into consideration the
has never wavered from recommending
school staff and students “greater than 2
current community spread of COVID-
that unvaccinated kids wear face masks
years old” should wear face masks indoors
19,” the AzAAP said in a statement,
in school. The news guidelines went a
at school, unless a medical or developmental
adding the state should provide adequate
step further by recommending “universal
condition prohibits masking.
funding to support school safety measures
indoor masking for all teachers, staff,
that follow American Academy of
students and visitors to K-12 schools,
protecting students because “a significant
Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control
regardless of vaccination status.”
portion of the student population is not
and Prevention and Arizona Department
yet eligible for vaccination.” There is
of Health Services guidelines.
AzAAP says masks are essential to
currently no COVID-19 vaccine for ages
This week, in light of the highly
State Superintendent of Education Kathy Hoffman has expressed frustration with Gov. Doug Ducey and state
11 and younger, although vaccine trials
contagious Delta variant of COVID-
lawmakers for restricting schools from
for these children are underway. AzAAP
19 that continues to spread rapidly in
being able to set their own mitigation
4 August 2021 RaisingARIZONAKids.com
