Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry provided sample letters for parents to use in order to request exemption from COVID-19 guidelines.
Landry posted on his Facebook page letters claiming philosophical and religious exemptions from vaccines and mask-wearing.
One letter states that "I have philosophical objections which make it impossible for me to comply with your COVID-19 policy related to vaccines, mask wearing."
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Louisiana's attorney general drafted and distributed samples letters to parents in an effort to help them avoid mask-wearing laws and COVID-19 vaccine requirements for their children at school.
Attorney General Jeff Landry posted these letters earlier this month to his Facebook page. Parents can use the letters to explain why their child should be granted a Louisiana school exemption for masks.
These letters are also intended to assist parents in justifying why their children aren’t vaccinated against coronavirus.
The philosophical exemption letter states that "I have philosophical objections which make it impossible for me to comply with your COVID-19 policy related to vaccines, mask wearing".
The same letter states that "Your mask policy poses risks to my child's mental health by hindering his verbal, and nonverbal communication between classmates and teachers for up 6+ hours per day."
According to the religious exemption letter, a mandate to wear a mask can lead to "antisocial behavior" and interfere with "religious commands that God love others" and "relationships that are in violation of the Bible."
Since months, health agencies across the country have been encouraging Americans to wear masks to stop the spread of coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends indoor masking for everyone above 2 years old, even teachers and students, regardless of their vaccination status.
According to the CDC, teachers, staff, students and others can protect themselves and others if they wear a mask consistently and correctly. When physical distance is not possible, it's especially important to use a mask indoors and in crowded environments.
Louisiana's Democratic Governor. John Bel Edwards reinstated the indoor mask mandate for all people 5 years and older. According to Edwards' office, positive coronavirus cases are on the rise in Louisiana. This order was made to stop this spread.
His office stated that the indoor mask mandate would remain in effect until September 1.
Insider reached Landry's office but they did not immediately reply to our request for comment.
