Passaic Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in NJ, is requiring masks as of today, Wednesday. The decision comes as Superintendent Sandra M. Diodonet told parents on Tuesday that masks are “required during periods of a High Activity Level” of COVID as determined by the state health department.
The district has 17 schools, and approximately 14,000 students who are now required to wear masks. “… (A)ll employees, Pre-K through grade 12 students and visitors are required to wear face coverings in all district facilities, school grounds and buses,” read a letter posted on the school district’s Twitter page.
The reaction in the comments was very negative to the news.
“We’re nearly 3 years in with ZERO indication that masking generally and masking children in particular has prevented a single case of COVID. Unbelievable,” wrote one commentor.
“It’s three days. I think I would just start Christmas vacation tomorrow instead,” wrote another person.
“Just don’t comply, force the issue. Make them kick your students out,” suggested another commentor.
Passaic is one of 10 counties currently experiencing high levels of COVID. The other ones are Bergen, Cumberland, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Union and Warren. The remaining 11 counties have “medium” transmission levels.
The statewide mask mandate was lifted in March by Gov. Phil Murphy. But according to Diodonet, the masking at Passaic Public Schools will only be lifted when transmission levels return to moderate or low levels.
New Jersey reported the largest number of deaths on Tuesday from COVID (28) since February 16 (when 35 deaths were reported).
