mask mandates in schools, but several superintendents in both states are defying those orders with opt out exceptions in some cases. >> if something happened and things went sideways for us this week and next week as we started school and even forbid we lost a child to this virus, i can't simply blame the governor in the state of florida. i can't. and if there is an out and i didn't take the out, and i didn't dough what was best for the children here, that is on me. >> i own my numbers and i'm responsible for this district and for everything that happens. and we can save a few lives and the health of some kids, it is worth whatever trouble i get in. >> a cnn analysis finds at least seven states ban mask mandates in schools, florida isn't highlighted here, but only because the governor's order isn't technically an outright ban. nationwide more than 93,000 new cases of covid-19 among children were reported last week, a big increase from about 72,000