NEWS

Ohio isn't updating its school COVID-19 mask recommendations despite changes from CDC

Anna Staver
The Columbus Dispatch

In a rare move, Ohio's top health officials aren't following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's lead when it comes to recommendations and mandates around the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ohio's mask guidelines for schools remain focused on unvaccinated students and staff even though the CDC changed its recommendation to universal masking inside school buildings, citing the rise in delta variant cases. 

The Ohio Department of Health doesn't plan to update its mask guidance for schools to match the recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week.

"The best way for Ohioans to protect themselves and their loved ones remains getting the COVID vaccine," Ohio Department of Health spokesperson Alicia Shoults said Monday when asked directly whether the policy would be updated. "Our efforts remain focused on promoting vaccination while providing helpful guidance regarding COVID mitigation strategies to schools as they prepare for fall classes."

Gov. Mike DeWine has said he doesn't think Ohioans have the "appetite" for another round of mandatory masking, and state lawmakers have the power to override any health order he enacts. 

That's part of the reason why the state's school guidelines are recommendations – not mandates. It's up to local school districts to make the call on things like remote learning, social distancing and masks. The exception being on school buses where federal rules for public transportation require masks.

Columbus, Cleveland and Akron public schools are mandating masks for all students and staff this fall regardless of their vaccination status. Cincinnati hasn't decided yet. Toledo is making them mandatory for younger kids who aren't eligible for the vaccine but optional for high school students. And Centerville City Schools isn't requiring masks at all. 

This patchwork approach to masking in Ohio reflects how the rest of the country is reacting to the CDC's updated guidance. 

In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear reversed his earlier recommendations and now "strongly recommends" universal masking in schools. But in Florida, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order threatening to withhold state funding from schools that mandated masks. 

Ohio's rules could also change when state lawmakers return to Columbus in September. Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, has introduced a bill to ban mask mandates in public schools and universities.

Anna Staver is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.