Gov. Youngkin lifts mask mandate, raising student concerns
January 19, 2022
Over the weekend, newly sworn-in Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order #2, which declares parents now have the right to decide if their child will wear a mask to school. “Recent government orders requiring virtually every child in Virginia wear masks virtually every moment they are in school,” the order reads, “have proven ineffective and impractical.”
On hearing the mask mandate is being lifted, a number of students here at BHS have expressed concerns. “It’s very reckless and honestly dangerous,” one student shared. “Many people in Virginia are high risk, myself and my grandma included.” Another student added, “ Letting my parents choose whether I should wear a mask [is unfair]; a mask is my choice not theirs.”
Several school districts have already indicated they will not follow Executive Order #2, citing concerns about student health and staff retention. The Hampton City school board has not yet issued a response to the new order. If Hampton City Schools does not opt-out, then the mask mandate will end on January 24th.
Koree' • Jan 20, 2022 at 6:09 pm Bear Facts News Pick
I think the mask mandate shouldn’t be lifted, especially with the rise in COVID cases in VA. With new variants coming out, the safest option for our schools is to keep masks on and get serious about making kids wear them correctly.
Branodn mables • Jan 20, 2022 at 4:11 pm
I feel the mask should stay cause they are helping in protect people from covid.
Leon East Jr. • Jan 20, 2022 at 12:24 pm Bear Facts News Pick
I see no point in the masks because most students at the school don’t even wear masks correctly and because the fact that most students might not even take the vaccine, there shouldn’t be any reason to wear masks anymore after the executive order goes into full force. On the other note, this is an amazing article and we should do more articles like this someday.
Jahlil Winston • Jan 20, 2022 at 11:02 am
I feel like its reckless and careless, because people have to go home to newborns and elders and not have a mask on at a public place with hundreds of people there is a higher chance that covid will spread to those people. I think they should keep us wearing mask to keep everyone safe and unsick.
Kelis • Jan 20, 2022 at 10:59 am
I feel like the mask mandate should stay because wearing a mask is a precaution. I understand you can still get covid with a mask on but not wearing a mask can make it a lot easier to catch covid.
Aniyah Brathwaite • Jan 20, 2022 at 10:59 am
I don’t agree with them not allowing us to use masks. I’ts are right and we should feel protected and wanting to protect others.
Tyrell Mills • Jan 20, 2022 at 10:58 am
I think its putting everyone in jeopardy including the families of the students, What if someone caught covid during school and brought it home to a family, then that family spreads it even more.
Laila Gray • Jan 20, 2022 at 10:58 am
I feel that the ending of the mask mandate is dumb. Lot’s of people of are very high risk to getting it so having them let parents choose for their kids is not right. To make matters worse cases in Virginia haven’t gone down at all so we would just be putting kid’s lives in danger.
Jazmyn Ingram • Jan 20, 2022 at 10:57 am
I personally think it is illogical and dangerous to send kids to school without a mask mandate. The cases in Virginia are already rising so this might just push us over the edge.
Kylie Milligan • Jan 20, 2022 at 10:56 am
Good article! I agree with the statements of all the other students, but you dont provide a lot of different viewpoints on this act, you mainly focus on how people dont like it. Still a great piece with a nice photo!