Session Update
On Thursday, Feb. 10, I voted against extending and codifying Governor Lamont's existing executive order that allows the public health and education commissioners to make statewide mask requirements in our schools. Despite my opposition, the legislation still passed, and the provisions of the executive order will extend until June, though officials have the option of ending it before.
Administration officials have not identified which metrics would guide their decision to lift, or potentially reimpose, the school mask mandate. I am 100% supportive of measures to protect our kids and our teachers. What I don’t support is the extension of mask mandates by state officials, absent any oversight or clear rationale that can be explained to educators, parents, and students.
With the availability and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, and school testing protocols, it’s time to restore a sense of normalcy. Individual towns should be empowered to decide whether to impose their own school mask mandates — or no longer require one. Ensuring public trust requires that we have clear, substantiated reasoning behind every decision. That’s what the public deserves.