OPINION: “Mandate doesn’t matter; New Bedford school officials should choose to wear masks”

“My understanding is that New Bedford is considered a high-risk area for the spread of COVID. School children and teachers are required to wear masks indoors which I strongly support especially when the vaccine rate still hovers around 50%.

However, I often watch the local TV access meetings of school boards, city councils, including charter school planning committees, whose leaders represent the children. Little or no masking is seen …all indoor settings.

The latest CDC report states that even vaccinated people should wear masks in all public indoor places.

Please be an example for the children you serve; if we expect them to wear a mask all day, please mask up yourself. Is it a mandate? No. It is a way to further protect each other. Thanks.”-Jeanne Plourde.