Flyer Falsely Claims Children 'Not Affected' By COVID-19

FRANKFORT, IL — Residents of Frankfort are reporting getting unsolicited flyers left at their homes calling for people to "Unmask our children," and to tell local and state officials that "We will not comply with any mask mandate."

The flyer reads that children "are not affected by the virus," referring to the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. That statement has been disproven time and again by local, state and federal officials.

The Will County Health Department has reported 12,377 COVID cases as of July 30 among those ages 0-19. That number represents 15.7 percent of all cases in Will County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported as of Monday 3,621,906 cases nationally in those ages 0-17.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Aug. 4 that all schools and daycares in the state must require masks to be worn indoors, regardless of vaccination status, citing guidance by the CDC. That move by the governor has touched off a firestorm of debate among those who applaud the decision and those who abhor it.

"We have the legal authority to enforce this, and we will if necessary. What we think is going to happen is that schools will follow this [and] do the right thing," Pritzker said during his announcement of the mandate. "Far too few school districts have chosen to follow the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention prescription for keeping students and staff safe. I had hoped that a state mask requirement in schools wouldn't be necessary, but it is."

The Illinois State Board of Education, in partnership with the Illinois Department of public Health, last updated its mask policy Monday to follow the guidance issued by the CDC.

A lawsuit was filed by a downstate attorney, who has a history of suing the governor. The lawsuit contends that the governor lacks the authority to enforce his mandate.

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