I anticipate that same response Dr. Brix was given by the Tennessee Governor.

Yep, as I said before, Stitt's position is "ain't done nothin', ain't gonna do nothin', nohow, noway"

Hospitalizations not going up which considering we have been reporting over 1,000 cases for a month now i guess is a good sign. I know they lag but I would think we would of seen more of an increase

Hospitalizations are at an all-time high.

Fortunately, no mention of OKC or Oklahoma here:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/05/health/birx-warning-cities-coronavirus/index.html

Since they were talking some about California cities, this reminds me to ask a question I hope someone smarter than me can help with. What's going on with California? From what I understand, they've been doing just about everything that we think states should do (they've had a state mask mandate since June, and longer than that in certain counties and cities, they were aggressive in their shutdown and slow in their reopening, etc). Yet their cases are about 30% higher than Oklahoma (per capita) and their death rates are even higher. Is this a problem in density or is it an issue with the cities outside of the denser urban population centers having a lower compliance rate with masks and social distancing? It seems like early on we were tracking pretty close to California but that doesn't seem to be the case any longer.

Just an observation... I go by the OUHSC every day, where on Monday free, unrestricted PCR testing by appointment was instituted. Just call 271-7774, make the appointment, stay in your car, and, I am told, the labs are all done in house at OU Med, and are at most 48hrs turnaround. Over the last three days I have seen a grand total of ONE car in line for testing. I don't know if this has any real bearing or meaning relating to this conversation, but I just found it odd that if you can get basically "right now" testing and comparatively fast turnaround on the result, there would be more people taking advantage of this. You don't need money, you don't need any condition. Feel like a test, just call the number. Sounds pretty good to me!
They do the free PCR testing at IMMY Labs too. The one in Norman (don't know what the other metro locations are like), it is like that during the weekdays, very few cars. But when they do it on a weekend the amount of cars is pretty constant during the hours that they are testing.

837 new cases today.

10 more reported deaths.

837 new cases today.

10 more reported deaths.

At least the new cases is under 1000. Those deaths tho...

Looking at the various data, I’m starting to get cautiously optimistic that masks are starting to help the situation.

On mobile, so quick response:

I am optimistic that mask mandate is helping new cases to stop growing. Some of the data supports this.

Hospital staying flat: while good in that we aren't seeing growth, I think the large increase in deaths explains most of this. See previous graph. Around the time hospitals level out, many died.

Re: California - I would have to think some of their spread is related to density, however I saw an article yesterday saying that they are "taking drastic action, like cutting electricity and water" to giant house parties. Picture showed a PACKED outside deck - standing room only. These darn youngsters are having too much fun!

The big population centers in California are quite dense; much more so than you would think.

And because homes/apartments are small and tightly grouped with little private space, the culture is very, very much about going OUT. Or, getting together in small spaces. And most people have roommates or live with their families because everything is so expensive.

When I lived there, even among my hundreds of friends who were generally very accomplished, almost no one owned a house with a yard. I only did towards the end, and it was in an outlying area and even then my yard was 1/4 what I have now.

And of course at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum, millions take public transportation and live in incredibly dense situations.

It's very difficult to avoid a lot of human contact in the areas where most people live.


Keep in mind their per capita case rate is right in the middle of the pack. They just have a massive population, almost 40 million people.

I didn't think about the lack of yards in CA.... I've been spoiled by using my backyard pretty extensively during the past few months.

Not to mention the big cities in California all have awesome weather.

I’m getting a little off subject since this isn’t about Oklahoma City. But I think this demonstrates why people’s thinking and actions are our biggest problem with this virus. They are having the Sturgis Bike Rally next week as scheduled. And they’re expecting a pretty normal crowd of 250,000 people or so. Many events are outside but there’s a LOT of elbow to elbow partying inside a handful of huge bars. How can any sane person/people think that this is a good idea to go ahead with.

I wish I could go get obnoxiously drunk at a house party. I remember parties. And fun. Damn you, Covid-19!!!

I think if people adjust their expectations such that ALL (in person) FUN IS CANCELLED for 2020, it'll help us get through this faster.

I REALLY hope that some of these encouraging trends continue, but I think it will take 2-3 months to get to 100 cases/day. I'm pretty much assuming any family gatherings for Christmas will be unlikely.

I wish I could go get obnoxiously drunk at a house party. I remember parties. And fun. Damn you, Covid-19!!!

I think if people adjust their expectations such that ALL (in person) FUN IS CANCELLED for 2020, it'll help us get through this faster.

I REALLY hope that some of these encouraging trends continue, but I think it will take 2-3 months to get to 100 cases/day. I'm pretty much assuming any family gatherings for Christmas will be unlikely.

I think it is encouraging but I worry that school starting might spike those back up a bit. I hope school can openly safely as possible.

I wish I could go get obnoxiously drunk at a house party. I remember parties. And fun. Damn you, Covid-19!!!

I think if people adjust their expectations such that ALL (in person) FUN IS CANCELLED for 2020, it'll help us get through this faster.

I REALLY hope that some of these encouraging trends continue, but I think it will take 2-3 months to get to 100 cases/day. I'm pretty much assuming any family gatherings for Christmas will be unlikely.

Actually that makes it last longer just keep kicking the can down the road.

I wish I could go get obnoxiously drunk at a house party. I remember parties. And fun. Damn you, Covid-19!!!

I think if people adjust their expectations such that ALL (in person) FUN IS CANCELLED for 2020, it'll help us get through this faster.

I REALLY hope that some of these encouraging trends continue, but I think it will take 2-3 months to get to 100 cases/day. I'm pretty much assuming any family gatherings for Christmas will be unlikely.Three months will be November. If we get back down to a hundred a day before next spring I’ll do flips down my street. Possibly naked! I don’t think we’ll get to that level until there’s a proven and widely administered vaccine.

Actually that makes it last longer just keep kicking the can down the road.
What can? Herd immunity?

With all the delays and drops in testing, it really doesn't mean much right now and accomplishes even less:

Most of the coronavirus tests the U.S. does are worthless. But there's a solution that could actually work — and stop the spread. (https://www.yahoo.com/news/most-of-the-coronavirus-tests-the-us-does-are-worthless-but-theres-a-solution-that-could-actually-work-and-stop-the-spread-154815346.html)


The first is that we’re already missing tons of cases. According to CDC antibody data, our current PCR system is testing only enough people to detect about 10 percent of the total number of infections. “If everyone took an antigen test today — even identifying only 50 percent of the positives — we would still identify 50 percent of all current infections in the country,” Jha has explained. That’s “five times more than the 10 percent of cases we are likely currently identifying because we are testing so few people.”


What if your viral load was too low on day five for the antigen test to detect it? Your infection probably wouldn’t be very transmissible yet. Then the next test you take, on day seven, would pick it up. And the person who took the PCR test still wouldn’t have the results.

“The vast majority of PCR positive tests we currently collect in this country are actually finding people long after they have ceased to be infectious,” Mina recently explained. “All we’re doing with all of this testing is clogging up the testing infrastructure, and essentially finding people for whom we can’t even act because they are done transmitting.”

Actually that makes it last longer just keep kicking the can down the road.

With no widely available effective treatment or vaccine, that's exactly the goal. We're just trying to bridge the gap between now and the development of treatments/vaccines, while trying to limit cases in an effort to prevent deaths and long term health complications.

As the above article explains, more cheap and rapid testing would actually be effective at containment, much more so than the current "kick the can" strategy, but we have decided to not go that route thus far.

I didn't think about the lack of yards in CA.... I've been spoiled by using my backyard pretty extensively during the past few months.

ha! I have spent much of the pandemic in LA with family because they have a yard (and LA weather) and I don't have a yard (or good weather) in Texas.

ha! I have spent much of the pandemic in LA with family because they have a yard (and LA weather) and I don't have a yard (or good weather) in Texas.My ex grew up in Burbank. We spent a week or so with her family a few times. They had a smallish yard. Great weather. When her dad sold in the early 90s the 1500 sq ft house that needed a LOT of updating sold for a something like half a million.

561 persons hospitalized (-82 from yesterday)

One good number for today. Hopefully it’s a sign of a trend.

Looking at the various data, I’m starting to get cautiously optimistic that masks are starting to help the situation.

Since the mask mandate it Stillwater, it has declined from 8th to the 12th city for covid cases. It will be a good test for masks after OSU classes resume Aug. 20. If OSU and Stillwater schools have to go back to online learning soon, then I'd say masks don't work well.

https://i.imgur.com/HCShTm6.png

Do they have an easy source for the daily total test numbers and the percentage of positives? I’m cautiously optimistic that our backlog is going down and that our positive rate is decreasing. If masks did their thing, and people changed their behaviors, we just need to make it through schools opening up.

Do they have an easy source for the daily total test numbers and the percentage of positives? I’m cautiously optimistic that our backlog is going down and that our positive rate is decreasing. If masks did their thing, and people changed their behaviors, we just need to make it through schools opening up.

I have zero confidence opening schools up will do anything to improve the situation. In fact, it is a known superspreader event waiting to happen.

1. Children carry the virus.

2. Children are "more efficient spreaders" of the virus.

3. Under the best of circumstances, schools are petri dishes, with poor ventilation, crowded classrooms, etc.

The Moore and Edmond school boards are listening to politics, not science, in making their decisions to subject teachers, staff, and their families to this dreadful, deadly disease. This decision will literally kill teachers.

Do they have an easy source for the daily total test numbers and the percentage of positives? I’m cautiously optimistic that our backlog is going down and that our positive rate is decreasing. If masks did their thing, and people changed their behaviors, we just need to make it through schools opening up.

It is in the weekly report on the OK Gov Coronavirus site. So you can see it week by week.

2 weeks ago 10.4% Last week 8.9%.

I have zero confidence opening schools up will do anything to improve the situation. In fact, it is a known superspreader event waiting to happen.

1. Children carry the virus.

2. Children are "more efficient spreaders" of the virus.

3. Under the best of circumstances, schools are petri dishes, with poor ventilation, crowded classrooms, etc.

The Moore and Edmond school boards are listening to politics, not science, in making their decisions to subject teachers, staff, and their families to this dreadful, deadly disease. This decision will literally kill teachers.

I don't think it's going to be good. Here's a story from Georgia. It will be interesting to see what happens there.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/06/us/north-paulding-high-school-coronavirus-georgia.html

Well I for one am getting slightly hopeful very slightly by not seeing hospitalizations going up. I know there is a lag between cases and hospitals but we are now 7 days into Aug. The Spike Starting in Mid June. When was the first day we hit 1,000 cases. Seems like it was over a month ago. (July 15th so almost a month) Now it might be cause younger people are getting it but to me it doesn't seem as bad as I thought it was going to get. Now the deaths that's a different story.

854 new cases today.

7 more deaths.

We've been remarkably steady in the 800-900 new cases/day range for the past few days. Maybe the backlog/testing delays are finally getting worked out?

We've been remarkably steady in the 800-900 new cases/day range for the past few days. Maybe the backlog/testing delays are finally getting worked out?

We had 1,101 on Wed.

We had 1,101 on Wed.

You're right. I think I was thinking about how steady the 7-day moving average has become.

https://twitter.com/KassieMcClung/status/1291766741886996481/photo/1

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ee1G_4hXkAAVQME?format=png&name=medium

https://i.imgur.com/HCShTm6.png

The picture isn't reflective of the truth. Most deaths, due to COVID-19 happen to those aged 65 or more. That is surely one reason why all those younger picture in the photo aren't taking the virus seriously, assuming it's a recent photo. Once again, it would help matters if a lot more younger people would reveal how bad their case was with annoying lingering after effects. Maybe they're hard to find.

I have zero confidence opening schools up will do anything to improve the situation. In fact, it is a known superspreader event waiting to happen.

1. Children carry the virus.

2. Children are "more efficient spreaders" of the virus.

3. Under the best of circumstances, schools are petri dishes, with poor ventilation, crowded classrooms, etc.

The Moore and Edmond school boards are listening to politics, not science, in making their decisions to subject teachers, staff, and their families to this dreadful, deadly disease. This decision will literally kill teachers.


....and parents....

And probably a few children.

The Moore and Edmond school boards are listening to politics, not science, in making their decisions to subject teachers, staff, and their families to this dreadful, deadly disease. This decision will literally kill teachers.

So I'm not familiar with Moore's plan, but what's the problem with Edmond's? They seem to be listening to the recommendations and I think they have a decent plan in place. Or is it just anything short of closing completely is unacceptable? And if that's the case, why call out these two school systems vs all the others that are opening and aren't taking near the steps Edmond is?

And probably a few children.

....and grandparents, and aunts and uncles. There are so many multigenerational households, particularly in the Hispanic community.

So I'm not familiar with Moore's plan, but what's the problem with Edmond's? They seem to be listening to the recommendations and I think they have a decent plan in place. Or is it just anything short of closing completely is unacceptable? And if that's the case, why call out these two school systems vs all the others that are opening and aren't taking near the steps Edmond is?

Just looking at the photo that is widely shared of that Georgia community, that was an even-odd, "blended model," like Edmond is pursuing. And to your question, no, I don't believe a "blended model" in which school children will be showing up to in-person classes, with teachers, is going to work, even if it's only part time. In-class school is not safe.

Moore's plan is, "Everything back to normal! Go Lions! Wear a mask if you want and if you're scared!"

I also don't believe it is going to work at the universities, either.

I'm calling those two major OKC suburban districts out because they are the only two that aren't starting out fully virtual, unless I'm mistaken.

I thought Moore also offered an online only option, although I didn't look into it as my kids are going to Epic this year instead.

Just looking at the photo that is widely shared of that Georgia community, that was an even-odd, "blended model," like Edmond is pursuing. And to your question, no, I don't believe a "blended model" in which school children will be showing up to in-person classes, with teachers, is going to work, even if it's only part time. In-class school is not safe.

Moore's plan is, "Everything back to normal! Go Lions! Wear a mask if you want and if you're scared!"

I also don't believe it is going to work at the universities, either.

I'm calling those two major OKC suburban districts out because they are the only two that aren't starting out fully virtual, unless I'm mistaken.

I guess we'll just have to disagree there. I think it is possible, if done correctly, to have in school classes using these blended techniques, especially if completely online is offered, since many kids will take that. I do agree that it's more risk than going full virtual, but only in a bubble. In reality, I'm not so sure, since moving to full virtual will increase the days kids are in daycare and the exposure there is likely to be worse than at the schools. I don't think there's a zero risk solution so it's more about managing risks and going for the lowest level of risk possible.

Also, EPS is following the state protocols and recommendations, which are data driven - https://sde.ok.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Oklahoma%20School%20Safety%20Protocols.pdf. If we want to argue if those gates are where they need to be between the levels or if the data is accurate, or anything else, then that's a separate discussion. But at the end of the day I'd rather have a school system following the guidelines that have come from the top down rather than go off of gut feeling or instinct.

Moore on the other hand, is just doing whatever they want from what you're saying.

I thought Moore also offered an online only option, although I didn't look into it as my kids are going to Epic this year instead.

True. My point is that there is no option whatsoever for teachers. I know one personally who is immune compromised and terrified she will have to choose between her job and her health.

I guess we'll just have to disagree there. I think it will possible, if done correctly to have in school classes, using these blended techniques, especially if completely online is offered, since many kids will take that. I do agree that it's more risk than going full virtual, but only in a bubble. In reality, I'm not so sure, since moving to full virtual will increase the days kids are in daycare and the exposure there is likely to be worse than at the schools. I don't think there's a zero risk solution so it's more about managing risks and going for the lowest level of risk possible.

Also, EPS is following the state protocols and recommendations, which are data driven - https://sde.ok.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/Oklahoma%20School%20Safety%20Protocols.pdf. If we want to argue if those gates are where they need to be between the levels or if the data is accurate, or anything else, then that's a separate discussion. But at the end of the day I'd rather have a school system following the guidelines that have come from the top down rather than go off of gut feeling or instinct.

Moore on the other hand, is just doing whatever they want from what you're saying.

Yes re: Moore. And I believe Edmond is doing this blended model for the same reason it isn't instituting a mask policy until the end of August: politics.

There is zero evidence this situation will be safe for teachers or staff -- or students. Safer, perhaps, but not safe. So yes, I will absolutely agree to disagree with you. Respectfully, of course.

Not OKC, but school-related - absolutely ridiculous.

https://www.democracynow.org/2020/8/7/headlines/georgia_high_schoolers_suspended_for_sharing_image s_of_unmasked_students_in_crowded_halls

True. My point is that there is no option whatsoever for teachers. I know one personally who is immune compromised and terrified she will have to choose between her job and her health.

All school districts should offer an opportunity for teachers to teach virtual only, if possible. I know my sisters district in Florida is allowing that (it might be a statewide thing). The trade off is that she isn't guaranteed to be teaching kids from her school district.

Just looking at the photo that is widely shared of that Georgia community, that was an even-odd, "blended model," like Edmond is pursuing. And to your question, no, I don't believe a "blended model" in which school children will be showing up to in-person classes, with teachers, is going to work, even if it's only part time. In-class school is not safe.

Moore's plan is, "Everything back to normal! Go Lions! Wear a mask if you want and if you're scared!"

I also don't believe it is going to work at the universities, either.

I'm calling those two major OKC suburban districts out because they are the only two that aren't starting out fully virtual, unless I'm mistaken.

Mustang has pushed back their start date but isn't beginning the year virtually for everyone (though virtual is an option they're offering).

Just saw this, thought it was apt, not OKC-specific, but a blueprint for *all* schools on how/when to open.

The push to reopen schools is sheer madness — here are 4 key steps to doing it right (https://www.alternet.org/2020/08/everyone-wants-to-open-the-schools-but-the-way-were-approaching-it-is-sheer-madness/)

Just looking at the photo that is widely shared of that Georgia community, that was an even-odd, "blended model," like Edmond is pursuing.

To this point, I don't think you're correct. I believe Georgia allowed schools to offer "blended" but that blended is allowing some kids to choose and some kids to not choose. I couldn't find anything about them being even-odd. They also didn't require masks for those students in attendance, nor do they, I believe, do temperature checks. They also had a cutoff in mid July to sign up for virtual school, and there's a wait list to get on. This is absolutely completely different than how EPS is handling this.

Edmond is not only allowing the option of virtual or in person, but even for those who choose in-person, they will still only attend schools on either Mon-Tues or Thur-Fri with Wednesday used for cleaning and sanitizing between the two groups. Masks are required for EVERYONE in the schools, students and staff. Covid related illness are treated as severe medical conditions in regards to time off or student absences (which helps to encourage everyone to stay home when they're ill.) They're requiring daily temperature on all students as well (and self checks for staff). They've reworked the school schedule to accommodate an additional bus route cycle for middle schools, and staggering the start time for elementary schools, so that the busses can also accommodate social distancing (of a sorts) and masks will still be required on the busses, and the windows will be down as much as possible, plus assigned seating. This barely touches on all the steps EPS are going through to try to make this as safe as possible.

We may disagree where the right level of safety is, but to dismiss EPS efforts as politics and group them in with the political decisions of the city is a real disservice to them. I think they're doing a good job listening to the experts and the state organizations and following their recommendations and guidelines.

Just saw this, thought it was apt, not OKC-specific, but a blueprint for *all* schools on how/when to open.

The push to reopen schools is sheer madness — here are 4 key steps to doing it right (https://www.alternet.org/2020/08/everyone-wants-to-open-the-schools-but-the-way-were-approaching-it-is-sheer-madness/)


We are not trying to solve a school problem; we are trying to manage a public health crisis. Closed schools are only a symptom. Re-opening schools has been pushed as a way to get things back to normal. That is backwards. We have to get things back to normal so that we can re-open schools.

That kind of sums it up.

We're basically subjecting our students to a large widespread challenge trial, except that there's no controls and no actual treatment or vaccine being tested.

It sounds really callous to say, but maybe all those vaccine candidates looking for stage 3 subjects should just enlist our students and teachers. Right now, it's the one demographic that is being forced to being placed in an environment of likely transmission by government mandates.

That kind of sums it up.

We're basically subjecting our students to a large widespread challenge trial, except that there's no controls and no actual treatment or vaccine being tested.

It sounds really callous to say, but maybe all those vaccine candidates looking for stage 3 subjects should just enlist our students and teachers. Right now, it's the one demographic that is being forced to being placed in an environment of likely transmission by government mandates.

Yep, and substitute almost literally anything for "schools" in that last sentence and that's how the US has gone wrong. Here's another good part of the article (I stopped posting excerpts because I got tired of people only reading the excerpts instead of the whole article. Of course, they might just skip the article altogether, but oh well, don't care):

"But there’s an even more fundamental question that underlies them all: Is the government of your state or city taking the pandemic seriously enough to start in-person schooling?

Here’s a rule of thumb: if your governor or mayor is allowing bars to open while schools are closed, the answer is no."

825 new cases today.

3 more reported deaths.

Coronavirus death toll is likely undercounted. This is CDC data (scroll to the bottom). There are 207,000 excess deaths so far on top of the official death counts. Not all of the excess deaths are related to the pandemic but likely a good majority is. You can see the seasonal trend from previous years, especially during winter months, from the influenza season. I hope you find this information useful.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/excess_deaths.htm

Coronavirus death toll is likely undercounted. This is CDC data (scroll to the bottom). There are 207,000 excess deaths so far on top of the official death counts. Not all of the excess deaths are related to the pandemic but likely a good majority is. You can see the seasonal trend from previous years, especially during winter months, from the influenza season. I hope you find this information useful.

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid19/excess_deaths.htm
One of the few posts I’ve ever seen suggesting undercounting. Lots of people suggest they’re way overcounted. I wonder if years from now we’ll really know.

To this point, I don't think you're correct. I believe Georgia allowed schools to offer "blended" but that blended is allowing some kids to choose and some kids to not choose. I couldn't find anything about them being even-odd. They also didn't require masks for those students in attendance, nor do they, I believe, do temperature checks. They also had a cutoff in mid July to sign up for virtual school, and there's a wait list to get on. This is absolutely completely different than how EPS is handling this.

Edmond is not only allowing the option of virtual or in person, but even for those who choose in-person, they will still only attend schools on either Mon-Tues or Thur-Fri with Wednesday used for cleaning and sanitizing between the two groups. Masks are required for EVERYONE in the schools, students and staff. Covid related illness are treated as severe medical conditions in regards to time off or student absences (which helps to encourage everyone to stay home when they're ill.) They're requiring daily temperature on all students as well (and self checks for staff). They've reworked the school schedule to accommodate an additional bus route cycle for middle schools, and staggering the start time for elementary schools, so that the busses can also accommodate social distancing (of a sorts) and masks will still be required on the busses, and the windows will be down as much as possible, plus assigned seating. This barely touches on all the steps EPS are going through to try to make this as safe as possible.

We may disagree where the right level of safety is, but to dismiss EPS efforts as politics and group them in with the political decisions of the city is a real disservice to them. I think they're doing a good job listening to the experts and the state organizations and following their recommendations and guidelines.

You make some solid points here but I have no confidence all of these logistical gymnastics are going to make it safe for teachers and staff.

The CDC has been pressured into coming up with safe reopening guidelines, but I don't think they apply in a community where there is widespread community transmission of the virus.

Honestly, I wouldn't feel comfortable in an enclosed room with more than three or four people at this point based on what is being learned about transmission. This is an airborne virus. I don't care if they only have 10 or 15 kids in a room, when you consider the amount of time they are spending there you can easily compute the danger and futility of this situation, masks or not (and didn't Edmond make it mask optional?).

Regarding my political observations: I'm not trying to impugn the motives of Edmond administration, but it appears they are bending over backwards trying to appease conservatives who "just want things to go back to normal" when things are not in fact normal, and when we haven't done the things as a community we needed to do to get things back to normal.

Do you really think this is not going to lead to students, teachers, staff and family getting sick?

I find it more than ironic that schools can mandate all students wear ID badges in the name of safety and security but in the name of safety they won't mandate masks.
Hmmmm

^

And many schools -- public and private -- dictate strict uniforms.

^

And many schools -- public and private -- dictate strict uniforms.

Yep.

Basically, just add one line to the dress code and maybe save a few lives here and there.

“We can’t make anybody wear masks. Hey you, I can see your knees in those shorts, go home and change!”

Yep.

Basically, just add one line to the dress code and maybe save a few lives here and there.
Even have masks made to match the uniforms. They’re a part of the uniform. I don’t see a problem.

Are there really that many public, non charter schools that mandate uniforms?
I don't know of any in Norman.
Whether or not kids are in civies or uniformed up, if the school is open and I'd badges are required of everyone than don't bs the public and say they don't have the authority. The administrators don't have the will or the interest of safety of those in the school.
This should apply to extra curricular activities as well.
Didn't the State Board empower the districts to make their own decision?
Another reason to mandate it is peer pressure. Kid comes to school wearing a mask and then is shamed.

If we get back down to a hundred a day before next spring I’ll do flips down my street. Possibly naked!

You should probably still wear your mask, at least... Just to be safe...