Denver Department of Public Health & Environment to end mask mandate in Denver schools
Today the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment has announced the end of the mask mandate in Denver Public Schools, effectively ending the two-year public health crisis in Denver known as COVID-19. This is set to go into effect on February 25th, 2022. I want to remind our communities that this decision is being spearheaded by those at DDPHE and not the Denver School Board or Superintendent.
While I looked forward to this day, I must express my deep concerns with ending our mask mandate before the end of the school year. I still believe that out of an abundance of caution, our mask mandate should stay in place throughout the remainder of the semester. Supporting masks as a district has led to individuals employed by Denver Public Schools being physically assaulted by parents. And my personal support of masking has led to me being harassed by those who do not believe in science, vaccinations, or masks.
Less than a month ago, we had students walk out demanding better COVID regulations and better enforcement of our mask mandate, and our educators asked for accessibility to more KN95 masks, among other things. I am very concerned with moving forward to end the mandate that has kept reduced the spread of all the variants of COVID and kept Denver Public Schools open to those that want to attend school in person. Personally I believe that this decision disregards our immunocompromised students, educators, and families.
I understand the frustration and possible fear this decision will cause many families, educators, and students. I had planned to follow other school districts in the south and bring forward a temporary policy to add masks to the dress code; however, in consultation with some of my colleagues, I am confident I do not have the support to move that policy proposal forward. I respect their opinions, even if we disagree. This is an example of good governance.
My personal beliefs align with the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and that is to wear a mask while you’re in public. Our schools are public institutions that could be ground zero for possible future outbreaks with these new eased masking requirements.
I have always said we must “believe and follow the science,” Until today, I was 100% in agreement with our local public health experts. I will also highlight the guidance the CDC Director has said on this topic:
The CDC “still recommends that all schools encourage students to wear well-fitting masks consistently and while indoors. And that’s consistent with our guidance that still also recommends that people mask in public indoor settings in areas of high or substantial transmission,” — CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky (February 8th, 2022)
The Director goes on to say “We owe it to our children to make sure that they can safely stay in school. Right now, that includes masking. We’ve seen outbreaks that have occurred in communities where students were not masked in schools and had to close,” she said. “And much of our guidance is based on the amount of community transmission.” — I agree with the CDC Director; however, I acknowledge and respect that I am not a public health official and can not allow my personal beliefs to stand in the way of those that have guided us through one of the most unprecedented times in American history.
I pray this decision will not have to be reversed and that we are making the smart decisions to keep our communities safe from future COVID outbreaks.
Again, I must reiterate my strong support for masking because the science said it works to reduce the spread of multiple viruses, not only COVID. I encourage students, educators, and families to voice their opinions on this decision at our next public comment session on February 24th, 2022. Thank you to all those who have complied with the mandate since 2020. The road has been long, but public health officials at DDPHE said the light is at the end of the tunnel, and I’ll believe that once that tunnel truly ends.
Denver School Board Vice President Tay Anderson
