‘Free smiles.’ How it’s going with optional masks in Charlotte schools.
The transition in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools from the district’s indoor mask mandate during COVID to leaving masking optional has been a smooth one over the last week, officials say. Still, some parents have had concerns.
Multiple parents, including school board member Sean Strain, confirmed to The Charlotte Observer that one teacher last week placed opaque “plexiglass privacy dividers” around students’ desks. Those dividers — which have since been removed — were put up in the classroom after CMS ended its requirement that masks be worn all the time, which came after a change in local and state rules and recommendations.
Plastic and plexiglass barriers or dividers became popular in public places, including some schools and restaurants, in 2020 but many health experts have questioned how well they work to stop the spread of the virus. Last year, The New York Times and others reported that barriers or screens effectively reduce normal airflow in a room and can cause an even higher build up of respiratory droplets, thus increasing the potential risk of transmitting the virus.
“The issue was resolved as soon as it was raised with the principal,” Strain said last week. “The desk screens have been removed and students have the option in class of wearing or not wearing a mask.”
Across CMS, says Eddie Perez, a district spokesman, “I have not heard of any major issues concerning the mask policy.”
The current countywide average positivity rate for COVID is less than 5% and CMS reports only four known cases in the school district as of this week.
Parent Stacy Staggs told board members at their meeting last week that she heard of an instance at an elementary school where a teacher told all students to remove their masks. Staggs said the teacher was reported to building administration. CMS officials did not respond to a question from the Observer asking whether officials had investigated the incident.
“I wear this mask to protect my children,” Staggs told board members. “I wear this mask because COVID is not over. And I wear this mask because it’s the inclusive, equitable choice.”
Last week was the first time in almost two years inside Charlotte-Mecklenburg public schools that children and adults could go without a mask without breaking the rules.
School board members voted unanimously last month to make masks optional in CMS facilities, starting March 7. Soon after, the district opted to follow the CDC’s updated guidance and no longer require masks on school buses or vans.
Many say they’re opting to still wear a mask indoors. The district says it will have zero tolerance for bullying or harassment of those who do or don’t wear a mask.
“The teachers at West Charlotte (High) have been very respectful to students who are choosing to wear (a mask),” said student Malachi Thompson, who is choosing to continue wearing a mask. “One teacher has made a seating chart to sit students with peers who are masked and vice versa.
“It’s been great here. Students are respecting their peers’ decision to be safe.”
Survey on mask mandates
In a recent informal survey by the Observer, more than 650 people who answered said they noticed voluntary masking still taking place around the city. Of those, 28% specifically named schools or universities as places they continue to see masking.
As the Observer reported last week, more than 60% of 800 total respondents in the survey said they agree with mask mandates lifting, with many saying the decision was overdue. But 39% said mandates should remain in place.
CMS parent Lisa O’Bryan said it’s been a total of 724 days between “free smiles in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.”
“It’s time to stop talking about masks and shift our focus to the children behind them,” O’Bryan said “I pray that our children and our community can begin the healing process.”
This story was originally published March 14, 2022 at 10:40 AM.
