The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released an analysis of COVID 19 outbreaks in Maricopa and Pima County Schools at the beginning of the 2021/22 school year.
In the accumulated data, the CDC found:
“Among the 999 (96.0%) schools included in the analysis, 210 (21.0%) had an early mask requirement, 309 (30.9%) had a late mask requirement enacted a median of 15 days after school started (interquartile range = 9–17 days), and 480 (48.0%) had no mask requirement (Table). During July 15–August 31, 2021, 191 school-associated outbreaks occurred, 16 (8.4%) in schools with early mask requirements, 62 (32.5%) in schools with late mask requirements, and 113 (59.2%) in schools without a mask requirement.”
What more proof do Doug Ducey, Mark Brnovich, and the rest of the miserable band of science denialist Know Nothing zealots need?
If schools do not have a mask requirement, the chances of a child or staff member in a public school getting the Coronavirus is seven times greater than the one that adopted one at the start of the year and three and a half times greater overall.
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman quickly urged Governor Doug Ducey to implement a statewide mask mandate in all schools, posting on social media:
Arizona public schools without a mask mandate are 3.5 times more likely to experience an outbreak of COVID-19. It's past time for Governor @dougducey to let public schools implement universal masking. pic.twitter.com/xcAKJtszgA
— Kathy Hoffman (@Supt_Hoffman) September 24, 2021
If Ducey does not see sense, hopefully, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper will.
She is the judge who is considering the lawsuit to allow schools to institute mask requirements before a law passed by Science Denying Republicans in the state legislature go into effect on September 29, 2021.
Judge Cooper said she will rule before September 29.
Hopefully, she will follow the trend set by judges in states like Texas and Florida who have ruled in favor of public safety over the political ambitions of Governors who have delusions that they will have a place on the 2024 Republican Presidential ticket.
If she says school districts can institute mask mandates, local boards will find the courage to overcome the resistance of the vocal minority of anti maskers in their districts and take steps to protect the health and public safety of all education stakeholders.
Arizona Residents should find out if reality, community responsibility, and common sense prevails by Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
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