Key Points
- Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) signed an Executive Order banning mask mandates in schools.
- Despite this, Loudoun County schools have maintained the mandates.
- Now, they are threatening to suspend school children who do not comply.
It’s been just over two weeks since newly-sworn in Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an Executive Order declaring an end to school mask mandates in Virginia —just one of many orders Youngkin made to give power back to the parents, especially when it comes to education.
“Under Virginia law, parents, not the government, have the fundamental right to make decisions concerning the care of their children,” Youngkin’s order read, adding later that “parents should have the ability to decide whether their child should wear masks for the duration of the school day. This approach is consistent with the broad rights of parents.”
“Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 15th day of January, 2022.”
And ignored by the “we know better” school board of Loudoun County almost immediately.
Last week, school parents in Loudoun County started to receive letters warning that there will be consequences for not continuing to follow the mandatory masking policies.
“Beginning on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, students who willfully continue to refuse to follow COVID mitigation measures as required by Loudoun County Public Schools will be suspended from school in relation to Violation of School Board Policy 8210, Introduction to Student Discipline, Section F.2. Willful or continued disobedience of school rules and regulation of school personnel; 3. Defiance of the authority of any teacher, principal or other person having authority on the school board,” one letter said.
“A student who is suspended because of non-compliance with COVID-mitigation measures may return to school only when they agree to follow COVID-mitigation measures throughout the entire school day and at all indoor school-related events …”
Additionally, lawsuits have started to pile up, accusing Youngkin and his administration of putting children with disabilities in danger.
“The ACLU of Virginia, one of several groups representing the parents, said in a statement Tuesday that the children involved have conditions including cancer, cystic fibrosis, moderate-to-severe asthma, Down syndrome, lung conditions and weakened immune systems,” WTOP News reported.
But on the other side of the argument, some children have conditions that are exacerbated by wearing a mask. Take for example Abbie Platt, who has three children in the Loudoun County school system.
Platt told FOX 5 she will continue to support her child not wearing a mask at school. “Each parent should get to make the decision that makes the most sense for their individual family,” she said. “We were so thrilled when the governor made that announcement, that’s because our little guy has chronic asthma, and he’s been on a nebulizer for two years. When you have something trapped on your face, and you are not able to breathe properly, it creates a serious health problem.”
And she’s right. It does.
The only logical solution is to leave a decision like this up to parents, who know their children best —and that’s really the whole point of Youngkin’s Executive Order.
