Thread by @ashishkjha

Let's discuss a path forward for masks in schools

I've been a strong proponent of masking in schools

So as we enter a new phase

Do we need to keep masking for the foreseeable future

I don't think so

Should we ban masks in schools today?

No

Let's find a middle path

Thread

First, let's talk evidence

Do masks work to reduce transmission?

Absolutely

What about in kids?

The evidence is less strong but clearly, the weight of evidence says that masking also works in kids

Are there harms?

Not much evidence either way but there could be

2/n

So given the (imperfect) evidence

Masking in schools was important while two things were true:

There were no vaccines for kids

Large surge of infections in the community

Now, as we enter a new phase

Every school-age kid can be vaccinated

And infections are getting low

3/n

In this context, I see a few things

First, smart to wait a few more weeks to implement any decision

How long? Depends on where you are

In Massachusetts, infections and hospitalizations are down

And will be more so by March

In some other places, not so much

4/n

So on timing, waiting until March or in some places, April seems more reasonable

Next, I think this should be a local decision

Some places have high vaccination rates for kids

In that context, lifting mask mandates even safer

In places with low vaccinations, its harder

5/n

The challenge of tying unmasking policy to vaccination rates is that vaccination rates in kids have plateaued

This is not about waiting a few more weeks until more kids are vaccinated

Might be many months or years

And, thankfully, we haven't seen a lot of spread in schools

So lifting statewide mask mandates and letting local districts decide what is best is a good approach now

Some communities with low vaccination rates, more vulnerable populations may choose to leave masks on for a bit longer

That makes a lot of sense to me

7/9

Others with higher vax rates may choose to lift masking in the context of dropping infection rates

Also reasonable

And remember that masking isn't the only mitigation tool we have

We can continue using tests, improving ventilation/filtration and encouraging vaccinations

8/9

The bottom line is that kids and masking in schools has been a an emotional flashpoint

I get why

Let's be patient and let communities come to a decision that is right for them

For some, it might mean masks off in 2 weeks. Others? two months

One more thing

Over next year or so, I can imagine masks used intermittently as needed

In a COVID surge next winter, a mayor might call for masking for a month to reduce spread

Masks on as surges start, off during quiet times

That's how many countries do it

And that's a good approach

End