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Haywood County -- February 16, 2022: Last night, more than 100 Haywood County residents sounded off at a Board of
Education meeting to demand thedistrict get rid of current masking policies.
Despite arguments from health officials, Haywood County makes masks optional in schools.
After nearly an hour and a half of public comments, board members voted to make masking optional for students and staff, though school nurses and teachers are still required to wear them.
Of the 24 speakers, 20 expressed told board members they thought the district overreached its powers by continuing to require masking inside school buildings.
After the board’s approval, students and staff who test positive for COVID-19 will have the opportunity to isolate for five days and return to school wearing a mask on days six-10 or isolate for 10 days per CDC guidance.=
Haywood County Emergency Services expressed their opposition to the decision in a press release late Tuesday night
“Directly opposing the health department’s best-practice recommendation, the board has opted today to go against its previously endorsed approach to masking to move to a masks-optional policy,” said the release. “Downward trends hold promise that we could get to acceptable levels soon, but case rates, test positivity, and an overwhelmed health care system remain at or near the peak of prior surges—too high to prematurely remove measures.”
"The Haywood County School Board assumes full and total responsibility for medical decisions and outcomes that result from their decisions, including any liability for student health and safety, as well as employee health and well-being."
Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington
