RI Governor To Discuss School Mask Requirements

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Dan McKee is expected to address the mask requirement in schools at Wednesday's COVID-19 news conference. More than six months after the order was first issued, members of the Republican Party are calling for the governor to end the policy.

A spokesperson for the governor said McKee "met with key education stakeholders and has had calls with neighboring state Governors regarding the school masking executive order."

The governor first issued the executive order in August, ahead of the start of the school year. Under the policy, all students and staff must wear masks while in schools, regardless of vaccination status. The governor has extended the order every month since then, most recently on Feb. 3. It is now set to expire March 4.

At the time the order was issued, then-director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, said that "the public health guidance on masks in schools is crystal clear. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people in schools need to be wearing masks."

On Tuesday, members of the Rhode Island Republican Party called for an end to the policy, effective Feb. 14.

"The overwhelming testimony last week from parents, students and teachers confirmed the negative impacts that masks have on Rhode Island’s children," the House minority caucus said in a statement. "Parents are the experts of their children: and their voices need to be heard."

The group went on to claim that "study after study proves that masks have little impact on COVID spread, while hurting the social and academic development of our children."

"Study after study proves that masks have little impact on COVID spread, while hurting the social and academic development of our children," the statement continued. "Instead of recognizing the fact that school masking does not make sense, it appears that many of our leaders are intent to continue this harmful policy rather than admit they were wrong all along. Our amendment will demonstrate which Representatives and Senators elevate politics over our children’s health."

The House of Representatives is set to debate the amendment to the Joint Resolution on Emergency Powers Thursday.