Gov. McKee, Gorbea Clash Over Mask Mandate In Schools

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Gov. Dan McKee and one of his gubernatorial rivals, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, are clashing over whether Rhode Island should require students to wear masks in schools this fall to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

McKee at a news conference Tuesday said state leaders are keeping their focus on vaccinations and does not support a mask mandate in schools at this time. He said local school districts should be allowed to make their own decisions regarding masks.

"We may have the authority in the governor's office to do another mandate, but we may not," McKee said. "But we know the Health Department does, if it rises to a level of a critical nature in terms of a health issue, so we'll review that."

But on Wednesday, Gorbea said she doesn't think the governor is doing enough to stop the spread of the delta variant. Gorbea, who is running against McKee for governor in 2022, urged him to take the lead and mandate masks in schools.

"One of the most important roles of government is to protect people, and leadership means making tough decisions," Gorbea said in a statement. "In failing to call for a mask mandate in our schools, Governor McKee is putting our kids and educators at risk."

Gorbea cited recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Both have urged schools to require masks again this fall, since students 11 and under are not yet eligible for vaccines.

"We all want our kids in schools and masking will help us keep them there safely," Gorbea said. "As a mother of three children, nothing is more important than keeping our children healthy and safe. A statewide mask mandate in our schools is the right thing for our children, our educators and our state."