Salt Lake County Board Of Health Recommends Masks In Schools
Aug 5, 2021, 9:32 PM
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A number of parents voiced concern Thursday during a Salt Lake County Board of Health meeting addressing masks in schools.
“I have elementary age students who are ineligible to be vaccinated, and I worry about their safety,” said one parent.
Vaccines among children were just one concern parents brought up during the public comment section of the meeting.
“We know they (masks) work, and we know the Delta variant has the potential to be very harmful to kids,” commented another parent.
With the rising number of COVID-19 infections in the county, the Salt Lake County Board of Health has concerns about the Delta variant infecting students.
Dr. Angela Dunn, the Director of the Salt Lake County Health Department, outlined what could happen if the County Health Department establishes a mask mandate in its five public school districts.
“The county council can overturn it immediately with a majority vote,” Dr. Dunn said. “Or the legislature can overturn it immediately with a joint resolution.”
Some members of the board said data shows masks did slow the spread of COVID-19 in Salt Lake County in 2020. They believe masks are the best way to protect children who are not old enough to get vaccinated.
The County Health Department will send a letter outlining their recommendation to the Salt Lake County Council. From there, the council can either agree with, or deny a mask mandate.