Pennsylvania governor to end mask mandates for K-12 schools but keep it in place for early learning programs and child care facilities

NBC 10 is reporting that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf expects to turn over the decision whether or not to enforce mask mandates to individual school districts starting in January and imposing a statewide mandate in September. What’s getting some people’s attention is that K-12 schools will be able to drop the mask mandate if they so wish, but it will remain in place for early learning programs and child care facilities.

Pennsylvania to end its statewide mask mandates for K-12 schools, but leaves it in place for early learning programs and child care facilities.

As expected, toddlers and preschoolers will be the last segment of American society “holding the line” on masks.https://t.co/aFVulsbABP

— Genève Campbell (@bergerbell) November 9, 2021

🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ This is happening here locally as well. The local claim is that our youngest aren’t vaccinated so….they must mask. No mention of their actual risk or the risk they pose.

— c r y s t a l (@crystalweir) November 9, 2021

In low-empathy cultures like ours, status determines all. Toddlers and preschoolers have zero status.

In high-empathy cultures, they are appropriately seen as the most precious citizens of all, and no sacrifice on the part of everyone else is too much to ensure their well-being.

— Brad Lemley (@BradCLemley) November 9, 2021

Learning to interpret and mimic facial expressions is a crucial part of early childhood development. We shouldn't ignore the detriment to learning and communication infants, toddlers, pre-K children might incur from looking at masked faces 8hrs/day.

— Winnie (@Winnie216283755) November 9, 2021

They are the ones who NEED TO SEE FACES THE MOST WTF!!!

— boulder_mom (@boulder_mom) November 9, 2021

This is insane, anti-science, & not good for young, developing children. Last year, the logic for restricting young kids pre-vaccine was “to protect the vulnerable.” Making toddlers wear masks all day is not good for them, period. This nonsense won’t stop unless people speak out. https://t.co/pkfGtc7nGq

— Corie Whalen (@CorieWhalen) November 9, 2021

If you can’t adjust your priors nearly 2 years into this, look at data about how young kids are minimally impacted by Covid, & recognize that masking developing children has big downsides, don’t invoke The Science again. Stop burdening those least able to stand up for themselves.

— Corie Whalen (@CorieWhalen) November 9, 2021

I don’t get how people who support masking 2 year olds EVEN WITH vaccine availability have no curiosity. Have they looked at outcomes in Europe/parts of the US where toddlers/kids learning to read don’t have their faces covered? If kids were dying that’s all the news would cover.

— Corie Whalen (@CorieWhalen) November 9, 2021

I’m done being patient/polite abt this. I naively thought once the vulnerable could be vaccinated people would look at masking as the emergency mitigation measure it was & move on. But if you’re trying to make 2 year olds wear masks all day at this point, maybe you’re the baddie.

— Corie Whalen (@CorieWhalen) November 9, 2021

Related:

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces mask mandates for kids age 2 and up in all state-licensed child care centers https://t.co/MctRWVuwWM

— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) September 15, 2021