Massachusetts, Rhode Island education officials react to universal masking recommendation

(WJAR) — Massachusetts education officials have not shown any signs they will change fall mask-wearing policies in light of new recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The organization recommended staff members and every student age 2 and older wear masks this fall, regardless of vaccination status.

The nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has since suggested schools follow the recommendations.

That guidance is slightly different from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has advised mask-wearing in schools just for unvaccinated children and adults.

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said guidance has not changed.

"For the fall, all districts and schools will be required to be in-person, full-time, five days a week, and all DESE health and safety requirements will be lifted. This includes all physical distancing requirements,” spokesperson Jacqueline Reis said. “We will collaborate with the Department of Public Health (DPH) to issue any additional health and safety recommendations over the summer (e.g., masks for elementary school students). We will provide any updates to districts and schools as we receive them.”

Rhode Island Department of Health spokesperson Joseph Wendelken said the state will continue to follow CDC guidance.

“Rhode Island’s recommendation to schools for unvaccinated students, teachers, and staff to wear masks is in line with the latest guidance from the CDC,” Wendelken wrote. “We will continue to follow the CDC guidance and support schools and districts in adopting our best practices and guidance to ensure a safe return to school in the fall.”

Zoey Molina, 7, has enjoyed a mostly mask-free summer.

“I definitely want no more computers and I do not want to wear a mask,” Zoey said.

Her friend Shawn German feels the same.

“I don't want to wear masks,” he said. “I hope no one gets the COVID."

Zoey’s mother, Rose Molina, said she just wants her daughter to have a better year.

"She experienced a lot of quarantining this year so that taught her a lot about consequences about not having safety in place, masks; she's been a lot more aware of her surroundings and the expectations that come with COVID this year,” she said.

“I would expect that you will be masking up in school, certainly if you have not gotten a vaccine,” Lifespan Emergency Physician Dr. Megan Ranney said. “In some schools, they may ask you to mask no matter what so there's not a stigma or embarrassment about who's been vaccinated and who hasn't."

Teachers' unions are also weighing in.

“NEA Rhode Island maintains the same position we have had throughout the pandemic: health and safety first guided by science and medicine. Having said that, the current situation is changing rapidly week to week, so we don't yet know what the final policies will be come September,” NEARI Communications Director Stephanie Mandeville said in a statement. “What we do know is that vaccination is incredibly effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant. While we await finalized policies for back to school, we encourage eligible Rhode Islanders to get fully vaccinated.”

The Massachusetts Teachers Union said it continues to advocate for in-person learning as long as conditions are safe.

“The guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, however, reminds us that many children, their families, and their communities remain vulnerable to COVID-19 — and that they need to be protected,” MTA President Merrie Najimy wrote. “That is a public concern that we cannot ignore. All of our efforts must center on serving the common good.”

“Children of color, who have been hit hardest by the pandemic, as well as those not eligible for vaccinations, must be at the center of consideration for safety protocols,” she continued.

She said the state must do everything in its power to get students vaccinated by the end of summer, especially in communities where COVID-19 has been especially devastating and where childhood vaccination rates are lowest.

“Decisions on health and safety must be made at the local level and must be based on current conditions,” Najimy wrote.

In Rhode Island, about 90% of staff members are vaccinated, 60% of 16- to 18-year-olds are inoculated and 40% of young people age 12 to 15.

Massachusetts could not provide NBC 10 News with that data.

According to the federal mandate, all students, regardless of vaccination status, will have to wear masks on the school bus.