Governor Mike DeWine announced on Tuesday that his administration will make a “direct appeal” to local school districts, encouraging them to implement mask mandates.
According to DeWine, the move is an attempt to control the increase of positive coronavirus cases throughout the state.
“Today, @OhioChildHosp is making a direct appeal to school superintendents, asking all schools in Ohio to require masks for staff and students during this very dangerous surge of #COVID19,” DeWine said.
The governor detailed that the move could help kids remain in the classroom throughout the school year.
“We all share the goal of keeping our kids in school. Reasonable people may disagree about a lot, but we can all agree that we must keep our children in the classroom so they don’t fall behind and so their parents can go to work and not take time off to watch their kids at home,” he continued.
We all share the goal of keeping our kids in school. Reasonable people may disagree about a lot, but we can all agree that we must keep our children in the classroom so they don’t fall behind and so their parents can go to work and not take time off to watch their kids at home.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) September 14, 2021
While DeWine has consistently encouraged schools to reinstate mask mandates in districts throughout the state, no broad mandates have been issued.
However, because of his suggestions, DeWine has faced criticism, specifically from his GOP primary challenger Jim Renacci.
“Now, he is overreacting again. But because the Ohio General Assembly has tied his hands on mandates, he is using his bully pulpit in an attempt to strong arm and scare local school boards into requiring masks,” Renacci said in a piece in the Akron Beacon Journal.
“No child should be forced to wear a mask eight hours a day by an out of touch elected official or appointed bureaucrat. Decisions as to whether to wear a mask or obtain a vaccination should be left to parents and parents alone. Parents should be trusted to make the best decisions for their children.”
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
