Arizona Jumps On Bandwagon, Threatens Schools That Defy Mask Ban

AP: Arizona Governor Blocks Cash From Schools Mandating Masks
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday upped the pressure on the growing number of public school districts defying a state ban on mask mandates as they try to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The Republican created a $163 million school grant program using federal virus relief funds he controls, but schools that have mask mandates or have to close because of COVID-19 outbreaks won’t be eligible for the additional $1,800 per student. (Christie, 8/18)

AP: GOP Lawmakers Repudiate Statewide School Mask Mandate
Republican lawmakers repudiated a statewide school mask mandate Tuesday as the Democratic governor warned that the delta variant is sparking Kentucky’s worst COVID-19 outbreak, with more children getting infected and hospitals filling up with unvaccinated virus patients. A GOP-led legislative panel found the school mask regulation — approved recently by the state school board — to be deficient. Lengthy testimony before the party-line vote reflected deep divisions among Kentuckians over mask mandates to try to curb the spread of the coronavirus. (Schreiner, 8/17)

Fox News: Charleston City Council Meeting On School Mask Mandates Gets Heated
A City Council meeting in South Carolina on Tuesday night that focused on a proposed emergency mask mandate at schools and a report by the city's racial conciliation commission grew heated and resulted in the council failing to pass the mask ordinance and voting not to receive the commission's report. The Charleston Post and Courier reported that the mask ordinance called for all children over the age of 2 to wear masks at all public facilities, "including public schools, private schools and daycares." The report pointed out that the order would have expired in 60 days. (DeMarche, 8/17)

The Baltimore Sun: Harford School Board Dismisses Unruly Audience From Meeting As Parents Rally Against Mask Mandate 
The Harford County Board of Education temporarily suspended its meeting and threw out attendees Monday night in Bel Air after people who came to criticize the school system for mandating universal masking in its buildings became unruly, shouting and speaking over board members. A group of parents, children and elected officials showed up prior to the board meeting to protest with signs and megaphones the school system’s recent decision to mandate masks for the upcoming school year. Some were there to stay outside and rally and some showed up hoping to get one of the 60 seats inside the meeting room for the in-person meeting. (Griffith, 8/17)

More schools require masks and/or vaccinations for employees or students —

AP: New Mexico Governor Sets Mask Mandate, Requires Vaccination
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Tuesday she will be reinstating a mask mandate for all public indoor spaces in New Mexico as vaccination rates remain stagnant and infections increase. Her latest public order also will require that more people get vaccinated, such as workers at hospitals, nursing homes, juvenile justice facilities, residential treatment centers and other places that the state deems as high-risk. (Bryan, 8/17)

The Baltimore Sun: Baltimore County Public Schools Mandate COVID Vaccines Or Weekly Testing For All Employees 
Baltimore County Public Schools announced Tuesday that all employees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination before the start of the fall semester or submit to weekly testing. “We are creating this requirement to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff during this continuing pandemic,” said Superintendent Darryl L. Williams in a news release. “The move is aligned with our commitment to provide in-person instruction throughout the 2021-2022 school year. Vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing COVID-19 transmission. I encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated.” (Reed, 8/17)

AP/Report for America: COVID In Mississippi Schools: About 20,000 Students In Quarantine
A top Mississippi health official said Tuesday that about 20,000 students are currently quarantined for COVID-19 exposure in the state — 4.5% of the public school population, according to the state's latest enrollment figures. The data comes from reports made by 800 schools to the Mississippi State Department of Health last week, Mississippi State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said during a call with state pediatricians. (Willingham, 8/17)

CNN: Mississippi Girl Dies A Day After Positive Coronavirus Test 
A 13-year-old Mississippi girl has died just one day after testing positive for coronavirus, according to Smith County School District Superintendent Nick Hillman. The girl wasn't feeling well last Thursday and her mother kept her home, Hillman said. The teenager tested positive Friday and was taken to a hospital. According to Hillman, she died early Saturday while being airlifted to a Jackson-area hospital. "It was just sort of a shocker to everyone," Hillman told CNN. "She was one of the best kids we ever had." (Lemos and Almasy, 8/17)

New Orleans Times-Picayune: Hundreds Test Positive For COVID, Thousands Quarantine In Schools Across Metro New Orleans
Within days of returning to school in person for the 2021-2022 school year, thousands of area students were sent back home as the coronavirus infected hundreds and forced widespread quarantines of students and staff. In New Orleans public schools, 3,004 students and staff were forced to quarantine after 299 students and staffers tested positive. In Jefferson, 1,267 students and staff were sent back home after 345 people, including 295 students, tested positive. (Fazio and Roberts III, 8/17)

Also —

AP: Ford Donates 1 Million More Masks For Kentucky Children
Ford Motor Co. has donated another 1 million masks to Kentucky to help ensure schoolchildren have access to face coverings, first lady Britainy Beshear announced. The automaker’s donation comes as the delta variant increases COVID-19 infections among youngsters. A mask mandate is in effect in Kentucky’s K-12 schools. (8/18)

KHN: Science Shows Mask-Wearing Is Largely Safe For Children 
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is one of a handful of Republican governors trying to block school districts from requiring masks in the classroom. Under DeSantis’ direction, the state health department adopted a rule that lets families opt out of locally ordered school mask mandates. The State Board of Education approved another rule that allows parents to secure vouchers for their children to attend a different school if they encounter pushback on their refusal to use masks. The DeSantis administration threatened to penalize school officials financially if they bucked the rules. (Jacobson, 8/18)

In higher-education news —

AP: Court: U Of S Carolina Allowed To Mandate Masks On Campus
The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a mask mandate instituted by the University of South Carolina last month does not violate a state budget proviso banning discriminatory face covering requirements. University officials withdrew the mask rule earlier this month after state Attorney General Alan Wilson opined that the mandate was “likely not consistent with the intent of the Legislature.” (Liu, 8/17)