Ready To Unmask Kids? Here's What Hillsborough Parents Say

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — With Hillsborough Township Schools opting to follow state's guidance and shift to a mask optional policy beginning on March 7, Patch asked readers whether they will allow their children to go maskless.

The responses were mixed among Hillsborough readers. Here are some of the responses:

"My kids won’t be wearing them. But I have also relayed the message to them that they shouldn’t treat kids with masks any different. To each their own, choice," said one commenter.

"My son (high school senior) is choosing to wear one for a few weeks after the mandate ends to see what happens. Completely his choice," said a reader.

"Mine will absolutely still be wearing one. At least until my youngest is old enough to be vaccinated," said a mother.

"Yes my kids can’t wait!! Should have been over long ago they didn’t work anyway!" said another mother.

"I think the important piece to this argument is to teach your children to respect others choices. If a family decides to not mask up their children shouldn’t be treated any different and vice versa. It’s a family decision and everyone should respect it. The only way our children will do this, is if it’s taught at home," said another commenter.

Hillsborough Board President Paul Marini announced the shift to mask optional at the Feb. 17 special meeting. Read More: Masks Will Be Optional At Hillsborough Schools Beginning March 7

"We want students in school returning to as much normalcy as possible as quickly as practicable while keeping the students and staff healthy and safe as possible," said Hillsborough Schools Acting Superintendent Feltre during the meeting.

This follows Gov. Phil Murphy's announcement to end the statewide mandate in schools on March 7 but left it up to individual school districts and daycare centers to decide if they wish to continue maske requirements afterward if they choose. Read More: Schools Can Extend Mask Mandate, But NJ Requirement Ends In March

People who choose to wear masks may continue to do so. Murphy will extend New Jersey's public-health state of emergency for one more month to allow schools to make the adjustment.

When masks become optional in K-12 schools, will you let your child go to school without a mask? Why or why not? Comment below, or join the conversation on the Hillsborough, NJ Patch Facebook page.

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