ToplineThe seven state-level bans on school districts imposing mask mandates are now facing increasing lawsuits and opposition.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference. SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesThe Key FactsBecause the Republican leadership of those states has opposed Covid-19 restrictions, mask mandates and mask mandates, schools in Florida, Texas and Arizona are prohibited from imposing them. Numerous states have filed lawsuits against their bans on school-mask mandates. At least three of them are in Florida, one in Texas. A state court in Arkansas issued a preliminary order temporarily invalidating the states mask mandate ban, while the case continues. According to legal experts, the challenges may prove successful. Ron DeSantis order banning school mask mandates is unlikely that it will survive legal scrutiny. He believes he doesn't have the power to ban them in state law, and describes his executive order to CNN Florida Gov. as a glorified press conference that is legally toothless. A Texas executive order can be violated by a fine up to $1,000 against the school, or against governmental officials. Monday's statement from DeSantis stated that it could financially penalize schools that impose mask mandates through narrowly tailored measures like withholding salaries or school board members. South Carolina Governor. Henry McMaster threatened to withdraw funding from Columbias schools district because it mandated masks. This threat came after South Carolina legislators stipulated that public schools could not impose mask mandates while keeping state funding. The states attorney general stated that news about a possible lawsuit against the mask mandate could be coming this week. Arizona Gov. Arizona Governor. Doug Ducey has criticised schools mask mandates, but has yet to say whether he will take action against them. A separate non-governmental lawsuit was filed by a Phoenix teacher against the districts mask mandate. Some Arizona Republican legislators have asked for financial sanctions to be imposed on schools that require masks and for a special session of Congress to address the issue.Important QuoteAccording to Paul Callan, a CNN legal analyst, it is unlikely that courts will allow the state to withhold funding from schools districts that insist on masking children. This is especially true when the CDC recommends masking. Callan also spoke to CNN about the challenges to Florida's school mask ban ban. The state's paramount duty to educate all children would be violated if it stopped funding districts that require masking in order to stop the spread of Covid-19, a potentially fatal communicable disease.TangentTeachers, parents, and Democratic legislators have also called for state leaders to repeal the school mask ban bans in Oklahoma, Iowa, and Utah. However, it is unlikely that their campaigns will have an impact on GOP-controlled states.Important BackgroundSchools in Texas, Leon County, Florida, which includes Tallahassee, and Arizona's Glendale and Phoenix have chosen to impose their own mask requirements in violation of state regulations. Eight districts in Arizona have adopted mask requirements. In recent weeks, mask mandate banswhich many states have also enacted against local governments and schools have become more controversial as the delta variant of Covid-19 has created new surges of Covid-19. This makes children younger than 12 years old particularly vulnerable to getting vaccinated. President Joe Biden told governors that they should not be imposing mandates, as well as Republican Senator Bill Cassidy (La.). Sunday, McMaster stated that he does not support the ban. McMaster said Monday that he disagrees with the ban.ContraHis gubernatorial counterparts have defended the states' mask mandate bans. But, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (a Republican) has stated that he regrets the states' mask mandate ban and is happy it was overturned in court. Hutchinson stated Sunday on CBS Face the Nation that it was a mistake to sign such a law.What to WatchAs the debate over mask mandates grows, more school districts will likely impose their own mask requirements. According to the Texas Tribune, Houston's largest school district will meet this week to discuss a mandate for masks. Meanwhile, Broward and Miami-Dade county school districts are still contemplating whether to impose such requirements. However, it is not clear if the Florida mask orders would violate the state ban. Some Florida counties have implemented mask mandates that allow parents the option to opt out of them. These orders do not violate DeSantis executive ordering.Continue readingFlorida Vaccine Passport Ban for Cruise Ships Strike DownCould Its School Mask Mandat Ban Be Next (Forbes)Schools are ignoring state governments and imposing their own mask mandates (Forbes).Legal experts claim that Florida's executive order doesn't actually prohibit mask mandates in schools (CNN).Arkansas Parents Sue the State for Ban on School Mask Mandates. Could other States Follow? (Forbes)Ducey Aide: Arizona Schools Are Adopting Mandates for 'Virtue Signaling. (Capitol Media Services).A new CDC mask guidance is being issued by the Delta-Fueled Covid Surge. Here are the states where mandatory masks cannot be legally reimposed (Forbes).Live updates and coverage of the Coronavirus
