The state’s largest teachers union is calling on Gov. Charlie Baker to impose a mandatory mask mandate for schools as backlash mounts over his decision not to align with CDC masking recommendations.
“The Massachusetts Teachers Association’s Board of Directors unanimously voted on Aug. 1 to support the mandatory use of face coverings in public schools from PreK through higher education as part of a multipronged strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19,” the MTA announced Monday.
The decision aligns with federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations from last week that said everyone — regardless of vaccination status — should wear a mask inside when in counties with “substantial” or “high” COVID-19 transmission rates.
The CDC also recommended universal masking in schools nationwide this fall, which Baker has so far resisted.
State Sen. Becca Rausch, D-Needham, on Monday accused Baker of playing “Russian roulette” with the health of public school students and teachers and filed a bill that would mandate universal masking for everyone in K-12 schools as well as child care programs.
“This administration fails to follow the science to the detriment of every community in this Commonwealth. I filed this bill to give families and school staff the peace of mind they deserve about protecting their health and safety,” Rausch said in a statement.
Democratic candidate for governor and former state Sen. Ben Downing also took the opportunity to take a hit at Baker, who could turn out to be his opponent in the 2022 race.
Baker has yet to say whether he’ll run for a third term.
“The people of Massachusetts need clarity and consistency on how to best approach protocols for vaccination and mask mandates in schools, employment, and social environments throughout the Commonwealth,” Downing said in a Monday statement.
Baker did not address his updated masking guidelines during an appearance in Everett on Monday.
When announcing updated recommendations for vaccinated people with comorbidities on Friday, the Republican governor said his administration’s new statewide advisory is “much more appropriate for what we’re dealing with at this point in time.”
