Breaking story…
August 6, 2021, 9:02am
The Shelby County Health Department Covid Task Force discussed a new order Friday morning decreeing all public and private schools within Shelby County must require a mask at school. The order would apply to both Lakeland schools for students, staff and visitors. While some hope it might last just a few weeks, there is no official timeline.
The order does not require mask anywhere else at this time, only schools, but the Shelby County task force has indicated that might expand later.
The Lakeland School Board decided against mask at their school board meeting this past Monday. All other municipal schools also decided against a mandatory mask policy to start the school year. However, the Shelby County Health Department has the authority to override local policy, a sore subject for many inside Shelby County.
Some parents have expressed interest online in remote learning, but Lakeland will not offer a virtual school this year, something school officials said would have cost approximately $1 million dollars to set up.
Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright told Lakeland Currents he was disappointed saying “What’s the endpoint? Do we shut down businesses again? Lockdown?”
Lakeland Currents has reached out to School Board Chairman Kevin Floyd and Superintendent Dr. Ted Horrell for comments and expects to have more information this morning.
Update to this story: 10:06am
While the Covid Task Force (Shelby County Health) said on their conference call this morning that would be the directive moving forward (mandatory mask at schools), school officials have not received any email directive at this time. Lakeland Currents also receives those directives and we have not received an email either.
Update to this story: 10:45am
The order has been officially issued by Shelby County Health. Please read below.
AMENDED HEALTH ORDER NO. 24 CALLS FOR MASKING IN SCHOOLS
SHELBY COUNTY, TN – Today the Shelby County Health Department issued an amended Health Order No. 24 that calls for universal masking in all K-12 schools, preschools and day care centers, for teachers, staff, students and visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
The amended health order is in alignment with recently released guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommends that all persons, including those who are fully vaccinated, wear masks in indoor public settings in areas such Shelby County where COVID-19 transmission is high.
This amendment is deemed necessary because Health Department data indicates an alarming increase in pediatric COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. More than one quarter of the current active cases are among those 17 and younger. Regional hospitals also report an increase in COVID-19 pediatric cases, many of whom require intensive care and ventilatory support.
The amended Health Order No. 24 was issued after conversations with a variety of school leaders in both private and public school districts within Shelby County. The consensus among school leadership indicated that universal masking would be acceptable as an additional prevention tool, part of a multi-layered approach to combat COVID-19.
“Protecting the health of Shelby County children is one of the Health Department’s highest priorities,” said Health Director, Michelle Taylor. “Masks, when worn correctly and consistently over the nose and mouth, have been shown to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious respiratory diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends masks in schools, which serve many children under the age of 12 who are not yet able to be protected from COVID-19 through vaccination.”
“Vaccination is still the best protection against COVID-19 infection,” said Health Officer Dr. Bruce Randolph. “But masks also provide protection in crowded indoor settings like schools. Shelby County Health Department also highly recommends vaccination for all parents, teachers and school staff members to protect themselves and school students.”
The text of amended Health Order No. 24 is available here: www.shelbytnhealth.com/healthdirectives.
