'It's too soon': MPS families react to decision to drop mask requirements in school

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- In less than a month, Milwaukee Public Schools will no longer require face masks. The decision came down Thursday night during a regular monthly school board meeting. 

Some families tell CBS 58 the decision was not the right call. Come April 18th, MPS students will have the option to remove their masks in school for the first time since returning to in-person learning in the pandemic.

"I think we should stay with the full time masks for now until we get a better feel of how this COVID thing is really going to pan out," said David Thompson. His daughter is in the 10th grade at Rufus King High School and he says he just wants to keep her safe.

The school board cites current covid-19 trends and CDC recommendations for the decision to drop mask requirements. MPS administration will have the ability to reinstate requirements if COVID numbers surge again.

If it gets to that point, decisions would require input from the Milwaukee Health Department, Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, and the administrators union.

We spoke to some students who say they don't plan to unmask anytime soon.

"I feel like we should still wear our masks because the pandemic is still going around. It's so many kids in the building you don’t know who got it or what teachers got it," said Adriana Ivy.

Hazel Stephens said she will keep wearing her mask because it makes her feel safer. Parents say they feel they should have been involved in the decision.

Preventative procedures throughout the district such as testing will continue. MPS will officially go mask optional on April 18th. Officials say the date was chosen to avoid possible COVID surges following spring break.