The emergence of the delta variant combined with vaccine hesitancy is leading to a rapid rise in COVID-19 infection rates among children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the current 7-day average hospital admission of children 0-17 years is 203, almost matching the 217 average at the peak of the pandemic in January. This past week, hospitals reported 93,824 child COVID-19 cases, up from nearly 72,000 the previous week.

Children under 12 are especially vulnerable because the vaccine hasn’t been approved for that age group yet. Obviously, the delta variant affects children more than its previous iteration, and those numbers are from before the start of the school year.

Despite these harrowing statistics, Republican governors across the board are doing everything in their power to prevent local governments from following public health guidelines to keep their communities safe. Many have signed executive orders prohibiting school districts from implementing mask mandates. Those states include S.C., Iowa, Ark., Okla., Tex., Vt., Fla., and Utah. The following states have also banned schools from requiring vaccines: Fla., Tenn., Ark., Ala., Utah, Mont., and Okla.

This irrational show of Republican obstruction is pitting school districts against their governors as some choose to prioritize their student’s safety by defying executive orders. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (APA) have recommended that schools impose a mask mandate.

Some school districts have chosen to listen to health experts like the CDC instead of partisan nonsense. They also plan on allowing students to opt-out if they have a medical need not to wear a mask or if parents don’t want them to.

In response, governors are following through on their threats. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that the state Board of Education would withhold pay from school board members and superintendents who chose to implement a mask mandate.

Sign the petition: Local governments should be allowed to keep their communities safe. Tell Republican governors to repeal anti-mask orders.

Participating Organizations:
Daily Kos
Marked By COVID
Moms Fed Up
Progress America
Progressive Reform Network