Mask Mandate Decision Made For Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Anne Arundel County, MD — Anne Arundel County Public Schools decided Wednesday to recommend, but not require, masks and tests for students and staff at schools with COVID-19 outbreaks.

Coronavirus infections are once again on the rise in Anne Arundel County. The county's case rate has tripled in the last month, leaders said. To see Patch's latest update on COVID-19 metrics, click here.

Anne Arundel County Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman developed a plan to combat this spike. He suggested these steps for schools that reach a positivity rate of five percent, which is the benchmark for an outbreak:

• "Students and staff at such schools will be asked – not mandated – to wear masks in indoor school settings for 10 calendar days, with Day 1 being the day after the 5 percent mark is reached. Exceptions to masking can be made for meals, physical education and dance classes, and outdoor activities such as athletics. Exceptions also can be made for students and staff who have a documented inability, such as an Individualized Education Plan, to mask."
• "Students and staff at such schools will be given two COVID-19 at-home tests provided through the Department of Health and asked – not mandated – to test on Day 1 and Day 3, with Day 1 being the day after the 5 percent mark is reached. Those who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for five days and can return if they mask for five more days in all indoor settings. Those who test positive for COVID-19 who cannot or choose not to mask must remain home for 10 days. Those who are otherwise symptomatic must remain home from school or work."

AACPS Superintendent George Arlotto supports this plan. It will take effect Monday.

The new strategy will replace the current policy from the Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Under the current protocol, unvaccinated students and staff are sent home for five days when their class or cohort has an outbreak.

Arlotto prefers the updated plan because it keeps students in school and will hopefully prevent switches to virtual learning.

"Whatever the philosophical disagreements on masking and other issues this school year, there is almost universal agreement on one thing: We should do everything we can to keep students in classrooms," Arlotto said Thursday in a letter to the community. "These strategies help accomplish that."

The superintendent asked families to help implement the latest measures. He does not want to make more work for already-busy teachers.

"Our school-based teams cannot and will not function as mask enforcers or test checkers," Arlotto said. "Their focus must remain on delivery of instruction to our students. To that end, I urge you to assist us in this effort so that we can minimize the number of instances of masking and testing."

Arlotto also reminded students that AACPS will not tolerate any bullying about students' decisions on face coverings.

"The COVID pandemic has not been easy for anyone," Arlotto said. "We are about two dozen school days from making it to the end of this school year. I implore you to help us get there."

Arlotto's full letter is posted at this link.

RELATED:

• Anne Arundel School Board Weighing Mask Mandate During Outbreaks

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