Topline
According to a new Associated Press/NORC poll, the majority of Americans support mandatory vaccines and mask mandates for teachers and students in schools during the Delta surge and new school year. However, parents are less likely than the general public to support these mandates, and their support falls sharply according to partisan lines.
Students wear masks to the St. Lawrence Catholic School in Miami, Florida on August 18. AFP via Getty Images
The Key Facts
A poll of 1,729 adults in the United States was conducted between August 12-16. It found that approximately six out 10 respondents supported mask mandates for teachers and students in school. Only 52% of parents with school-age children support mask mandating children, while 28% of them oppose them. AP also notes that there is a similar split regarding mask mandates to teachers. AP reports that eight out of ten Democrats support the mask mandates. Only three out of ten Republicans support them. Black parents were more likely to support school-mask mandates than Hispanic and white parents. Two-thirds of respondents supported them, compared to approximately half the Hispanic and white parents. Similar 59% support mandates for vaccines for teachers, and 55% support requirements for vaccines for students 12 years and older. Only 42% support a mandate for student vaccinations. AP also notes that support was split along partisan lines. Support was greater among parents who have been vaccinated.
Important Quote
I can understand the importance of personal choice and freedom. Budhiono Riyanto, a New York City parent, told the AP that public health is something we all need to look out for. The best defense is to vaccinate and cover up.
What to Watch
How many schools are implementing vaccine requirements for students. Although more states and school districts are now imposing vaccine requirements for staff and teachers, mandates for students are still uncommon in states like Washington and California. Culver City school district, California announced Friday that all students who are eligible will need to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. According to the AP, this is the first such school district. The Food and Drug Administration's Monday approval of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine could open the door to further mandates.
Important Background
The AP/NORC poll matches similar polling: A Gallup poll published August 3 showed 60% support for school mask mandates, while an Axios/Ipsos survey last week found 64% supporting state and local mandates. The poll also showed that only 47% parents supported student vaccine mandates. It only asked about mask wear among unvaccinated students. This was before the new guidance was published by public health on mask-wearing at schools. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), now encourages all fully vaccinated students and staff, to wear masks due to the highly transmissible Delta variant. However, mask mandates have been controversial since the start of a new school year. At school board meetings, mask advocates have faced threats and contentious arguments. In addition, school districts in states that prohibit or mandate masks have broken state policies and taken their own position on facial coverings. Many school districts have made mask-wearing mandatory despite state policies prohibiting them. This has led to legal action and funding cuts.
Continue reading
Support for vaccine mandates and school mask in the USA: AP-NORC poll (Associated Press).
Most parents want mask mandates but not vaccinae requirementsIn schools as Delta Variant Spreads, poll finds (Forbes).
According to a poll, most Americans support mask mandates amid soaring covid cases. But Republicans back them being banned (Forbes).
States with School Mask Ban Bans Likely Will Not Lose Federal Funding. Education Secretary suggests. But will face investigations (Forbes).
Tennessee is the latest state to ban school mask mandates
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