Masking in classrooms decreases COVID outbreaks, additional research shows – Everett Post

(NEW YORK) – The debate about children having to wear masks in schools continues, but not among doctors or scientists – or teachers.

Several recent studies have shown masks to be effective in slowing virus transmission and preventing school closings. Three such studies have just been published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly report on infectious diseases.

Kara McCormick-Lyons, a seventh-grade teacher and president of the White Plains Teachers’ Association in Westchester County, said the new results were not surprising.

“Of course it works,” said McCormick-Lyons. “Physical distancing, masking, being outside when you can, all of these things make a difference.”

Whatever the slight discomfort children may feel about wearing a mask, she added that it is a small price to pay and “if that’s what we need to do, everyone stays here”. [in school], then it’s worth it. “

A recent study from Arizona found that non-masked learning environments were 3.5 times more likely to break out. In addition, schools that introduced masking requirements before school resumed in the fall had fewer outbreaks than schools that recently adopted the policy.

J. Mac McCullough, associate professor at Arizona State University and co-author of the study in Arizona, said the results further strengthen existing guidelines.

The research “was in line with the CDC’s recommendation on masking in schools as part of a layered approach to preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in K-12 schools,” he added.

Another study that looked at several states found that the number of schools that reported COVID-related closings in August and early September was greatest in the south, where fewer mandates are in place. States like Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia have reported more than 200 COVID-related school closings.

Another nationwide study showed that COVID cases were higher in counties without mandatory masking. For every 100,000 children in counties where schools were required to wear masks, there were 18 fewer cases of COVID per day, although the study’s authors found it difficult to conclude that masks alone are responsible for this discrepancy when it comes to social behavior and other potential variables between communities are taken into account.

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