Masks In Schools? Debate Continues In Essex County [POLL] – Patch.com

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — When school starts again this fall, New Jersey students from kindergarten to grade 12 will be wearing face masks, regardless of whether they got a coronavirus vaccine. But the latest state mandate has created fiery debate in Essex County, where COVID-19 cases have seen a “substantial” spike in recent weeks.

Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that New Jersey students, educators, staff and visitors will once again be wearing face masks when the new school year begins in September. “We will continue to closely monitor the science and data and will lift this mandate when we can do so safely,” Murphy said.

Students with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask are exempted. Masks aren’t required when a student is engaged in heavy physical activities, or an activity that “cannot be performed while wearing a mask,” such as eating and drinking or playing an instrument.

The decision is in step with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to K-12 schools regardless of vaccination status.

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the New Jersey Education Association also support the CDC’s updated guidance on face masks.

After Murphy’s announcement, several elected officials who represent Essex County weighed in, with some praising the decision and others blasting it.

Sen. Teresa Ruiz of the 29th district, which includes Belleville and Newark, was among those cheering the new mask mandate.

“As COVID cases continue to rise, I am relieved to hear that masks will be required within schools across the state,” said Ruiz, a Democratic Party member who serves as the chair of the Senate Education Committee.

“Masks are our first line of defense against this virus, and this will be critical in protecting our students, educators, support staff and their families this fall,” Ruiz asserted.

Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, an East Orange resident, also supported the mask mandate, saying that New Jersey is “putting the health and safety of our kids first.”

But the science on that is shaky, according to Sen. Joe Pennacchio, a Republican who represents the 26th district in the state Legislature, including North Caldwell, West Caldwell and Verona.

[“Friday’s] edict is devoid of any science and data in its support,” Pennacchio charged.

“The sad fact is masks inhibit communication in classrooms and obstruct learning,” Pennacchio said. “My Republican colleagues and I held a virtual hearing on masks, and we heard from experts who asserted that masks in school are more trouble than they are worth.”

The new mask mandate in New Jersey has also seen support – and criticism – from third party candidates running for governor in 2021.

“Every person should have the right to choose, without shaming, whether it be masks, vaccines, or any other personal or medical choices what is best for them and their families,” said Gregg Mele, the New Jersey Libertarian Party gubernational candidate.

“These are among our core freedoms as Americans,” Mele said, calling Murphy’s decision “tyrannical.”

Mele also blasted his Republican challenger, Jack Ciattarelli, whom he accused of “refusing to take a stand” against the new mandate. For his part, Ciattarelli issued a statement about the mask mandate on Friday, saying it is “bewildering” and “the first step towards another Murphy lockdown.”

Meanwhile, Madelyn Hoffman, the Green Party of New Jersey candidate for governor, said that in addition to mask mandates, New Jersey should be allowing parents to opt for a virtual option if they think it is best for their children.

“With so many children without immunity, for children who are high risk or live with people who are high risk, virtual schooling, in that situation, may still be the best option,” Hoffman stated. “The pandemic is not over. The only people winning from rushing back are the corporations and moneyed interests in charge.”

Some school administrators in Essex County have tried to take politics out of the masking debate, however.

“For me, it’s not a political decision … it’s a medical decision,” Montclair School Superintendent Jonathan Ponds recently said, speaking about the district’s own mask mandate.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.