Sarasota County Democratic Party Calls For School Mask Mandate

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — With school starting Tuesday, the Sarasota County Democratic Party’s executive board is calling for the Sarasota County School Board to implement mask mandates for staff and students, as well as social distancing protocols throughout the school district.

“It is imperative that the board take immediate action to protect our children from the dangerous surge in COVID-19 cases in our county and around the state,” the Democratic Party said in a news release shared to Twitter.

The party tweeted that supporting the mask mandate “is not a political issue in which varying viewpoints are equally worthy; it is a full-blown public health crisis.”

COVID-19 cases have been surging in Sarasota County and throughout the state of Florida in recent weeks.

Florida reported the highest number of pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations last week, SCDP added. “Local area hospitals also report a record number of pediatric COVID-19 cases, and the number of children in intensive care units is rising dramatically. Doctors report the sharpest increase is among children under 12, who are not yet eligible for vaccination.”

The party calls for mask mandates and other safety measures to “be put in place immediately” by the school district.

“With children packed together in classrooms and on school buses, and with no requirement to wear masks, infection can quickly get out of control, sickening children in unprecedented numbers and leading to community spread,” the Democratic Party said.

Face coverings are optional for all Sarasota County students and staff, but strongly encouraged for those who are unvaccinated, the district said in a guide for the upcoming 2021-22 school year. Schools will have masks available for those who need one.

The district asks parents to check the temperature of students before school and to keep home those who have a fever of 100.4 or higher or who have a cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, or other coronavirus symptoms

Vaccinated students who are exposed to someone with COVID-19 won't need to quarantine unless they show symptoms. Unvaccinated students or those who haven't finished the series of shots yet are required to quarantine when exposed to the virus, the district said. Quarantined students can return to school after seven days and a negative COVID-19 test, otherwise they must remain quarantined for 10 days.

Students are also asked to practice social distancing whenever possible, including when waiting for the bus, when changing classes or going to an elective or special area class, and in the classroom. Students must also sit in their assigned seats in the classroom, cafeteria or on the bus, the district said.