Florida education commissioner says masks should be voluntary in schools this fall Share Updated: 12:53 AM EDT Apr 15, 2021 Joseph Schatt Share Updated: 12:53 AM EDT Apr 15, 2021 Joseph Schatt Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran asked school superintendents to make mask policies voluntary instead of mandatory for the 2021-22 school year.In a letter on Wednesday, Corcoran stated that data proves face-covering policies do not impact the spread of the coronavirus, that families and individuals have the ability to decide for themselves whether to wear a mask and that broad policies serve no use at this point. No data was provided to back these claims.Corcoran said that families might even be discouraged from enrolling their children in in-person learning specifically because of mask policies.The commissioner also stated that he will be unveiling more policy changes for the upcoming school year.
Florida education commissioner asks school districts to make masks voluntary for next school year
The Florida commissioner said mask use is a personal choice, and should be voluntary in schools.
and last updated 2021-04-15 18:26:02-04
TALLAHASSEE, Fla- â Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran asked school districts in a memo Wednesday to change mask mandates for the upcoming school year, instead to make them voluntary. With this return, we ask that districts, which currently are implementing a mandated face-covering policy, revise their policy to be voluntary for the 2021-2022 school year, the memo said in part.
After reviewing policies of districts with mandatory masks in place as well as reviewing all districts relevant health data, on top of other factors, Corcoran stated that the data shows us that districtsâ face-covering policies do not impact the spread of the virus.
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Welcome to today s edition of the Florida Coronavirus Watch Newsletter. Let s get you up to speed with the latest news of the day from the USA TODAY Network Florida.
Today s overview
New hospitalizations: 219 (87,742 total)
Total cases: 2,148,448
Total vaccinations: 4,779,216
Daily percentage positivity rate: 6.66%
As always, you can access more of the latest updates in Florida here.
Here s what s happening around the state
Masks or no masks? Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran issued a memo to all 67 counties this week requesting school districts with mandatory face mask policies revise them to be voluntary for the 2021-2022 school year.”