Parents, school districts divided over new CDC mask guidelines

PITTSBURGH — Parents across the Pittsburgh region are divided over whether local school districts should enforce mask-wearing after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance.

Channel 11 reported yesterday that the CDC reversed course on masking, recommending that even fully-vaccinated people wear masks in certain indoor settings, including schools.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health told Channel 11 that it recommends schools follow the new guidance, but it will not be issuing a statewide mandate.

With that being the case, several local school districts do not intend to require mask-wearing. Officials for North Allegheny, Bethel Park, Upper Saint Clair and Mars all told Channel 11 that masks will be optional depending on what families choose. In Penn Hills, a decision is still being made.

Devin Hays, a mother within the Mars Area School District, told us she is deeply concerned that too many will opt to not wear masks. As it stands now, children under 12 are not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Her son, Coby, is four years old and has a rare brain disorder that impacts his muscles.

“If he gets sick, he doesn’t necessarily have the muscle strength to cough,” she told us. “It is not safe for him to be around unmasked, unvaccinated people. He cannot do it.”

She said Coby attends an early learning center part of the district and needs to receive a number of in-person therapies. She has urged district leaders to enforce masks.

“They have a job, a duty, an oath to protect children, and they are not doing that,” she said.

Meantime, other parents are opposed to mask enforcement.

Kristen Hubbell is a parent in the Avonworth School District, and has launched a petition against mask mandates.

According to Hubbell, the district recently updated guidance to require mask-wearing for students K-6. At the time this article was published, district leaders did not respond to our inquiries confirming that update.

Hubbell said one of her three children has disabilities, including speech impairment, and mask-wearing has impacted her learning capabilities and ability to understand social cues.

“It’s really holding her back,” Hubbell said. “She really struggled this past year.”

Hubbell said she is advocating for parents to have the right to choose whether kids should wear masks. She supports parents who are in favor of mask-wearing, though she questions how effective masks are at preventing COVID-19, and said she’s frequently observed young children wearing them incorrectly.

“Every family should have the right to make their own choice,” she said.

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