ToplineIf Gov. Ron DeSantis (Republican from Florida) continues to threaten to withhold state aid to districts that require masks. The U.S. Department of Education stated Friday that the U.S. Department of Education will rescind state aid to those districts. Public school systems in states such as Florida are planning to require mask-wearing, despite Republican bans.Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a press conference held in Miami, July 13, 2020. AFP via Getty ImagesThe Key FactsDeSantis and Florida's education commissioner were contacted by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. Cardona stated that the July executive order banning mask mandates within school districts conflicts with public health advice. DeSantis had threatened earlier this week to withhold funding for those schools. Cardona stated that if DeSantis cuts funding to those districts, they could pay superintendents and board members using their share of the congressionally approved Covid-19 relief money allotted to schools. This would effectively replace state aid with federal funds. Cardona wrote a similar letter for Texas Governor. Greg Abbott (R), wrote a similar letter to Texas Gov. The offices of Abbott and DeSantis did not respond to inquiries for comment.Important QuoteCardona wrote to DeSantis that the Department acknowledges the fact that many school districts in Florida have already adopted such policies, in accordance with the CDC's guidance for the reopening of schools. The Department supports these dedicated educators as they work to safely reopen schools, and provide safe instruction in person.TangentFlorida and Texas have the third- and eleventh highest seven-day Covid-19 infection rates in the country. According to CDC data, the average daily case rate rose 90% in Texas and 45% for Florida over the past two weeks. This surge was partly caused by the more infectious delta variant of the virus.Important BackgroundSchools should ask students and teachers to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status. Last month, the CDC updated its guidelines due to the rise in Covid-19 cases in certain communities and the delta variant. Schools in states like Arkansas, Texas, and Florida have been unable to require masks by executive orders or state law. This is part of a larger political backlash against coronavirus and mask-wearing restrictions. However, school districts in major cities such as Houston, Dallas, and Miami have ignored these bans and imposed mandatory masks.What to WatchLegal challenges are being raised against the mask mandate bans of DeSantis, Abbotts. DeSantis has been sued by parents in Florida, while Texas is being sued by several school districts.Continue readingMore Schools Are Defying State Governments to Impose Mandates on Students Here's What Could Next (Forbes).
