School Mask Mandate, Vaccines In Virginia: Take Our Patch Survey

VIRGINIA — With the start of the 2021-2022 school year upon us, masks have become a point of contention between government officials, school districts and families.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend universal indoor masking in K-12 schools. The updated guidance comes amid increasing spread of the delta variant, which is more contagious than the original COVID-19 strain and other variants. Some places have seen a rise in COVID-19 cases among children under 12, who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Some states have ordered school districts not to implement mask mandates, although some districts are requiring masks anyway. Mask mandates in some school districts have led to protests by opposed families.

Virginia is one of the states that will require school districts to require masks. Gov. Ralph Northam and Virginia Health Commissioner Norman Oliver issued a public health order for universal masking at public and private K-12 schools. The order will be in effect until the CDC guidelines for K-12 schools change or the order is rescinded.

With masks and vaccines being widely discussed as the school year begins, we want to know your thoughts. This non-scientific survey asks about masks and the COVID-19 vaccine in schools and other settings. The survey will be open until 12 p.m. on Tuesday. The survey is anonymous.

If you cannot see the survey below, click here.