Parents, health experts disagree on optional masking at Harnett County schools
The coronavirus situation within Harnett County Public Schools is improving, with cases dropping dramatically since the beginning of the school year. But next week, masks will become optional.
Experts said that could send infection numbers in the wrong direction.
While parents in the school district said they're happy the decision about mask wearing will be back in their hands, at least one doctor said it's happening a bit too soon.
Amanda Flowers said her two daughters, ages 6 and 9, will be taking their masks off next Tuesday after a recent 3-2 vote by the school board approved a mask-optional policy.
"They don't like it. They do not like it at all," said Flowers. "I don't think it's doing any good for the kids to be sitting in school all day wearing them."
Three weeks ago, Harnett County Schools reported 227 COVID cases with 1,402 quarantines. This week, coronavirus cases are down to 105, and 495 students and staff are quarantined. That's a 54 percent drop in coronavirus cases.
Some Harnett County families said they aren't worried about the virus spreading when masks become optional.
"I think that all that's been overplayed. I think it's time for everyone to get back to normalcy," said grandparent Charlene Jackson.
"It's just a big mess, is what it is," added grandparent Judy Skidmore. "But I think it should be left up to the parents. I don't think the government should do it."
But Dr. Danny Benjamin, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Duke University Health System, said cases and quarantines will likely rise.
"Voluntary masking is crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, which is not a strategy," said Benjamin.
Despite declining case numbers, Benjamin said the school district is still at a point where he supports universal masking.
"I think most school districts ought to be doing universal masking until the 5- to 11-year-olds have access to a vaccine," said Benjamin.
Benjamin added that schools that choose optional masking should be willing to reinstate a mask mandate if coronavirus cases soar.
"Once the vaccine is available for all the attendees in the building, it becomes very simple for schools. They can say, 'If you want to be protected, go get vaccinated,'" said Benjamin.
State law requires school districts to revisit their mask policies every month. The Harnett County Board of Education will discuss the policy again at its meeting on Monday.
