The Topic Of Masks In Schools Is Polarizing Some Parents To The Point Of Violence

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Angry, largely unmasked people objecting to Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ mask mandate for schools shout in opposition to wearing a face covering at the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting on Wednesday in Baton Rouge, La.

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Joann Marcus (left) cheers as she listens to the Broward County School Board’s emergency meeting last month in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A small but vocal group spoke vehemently against masks, saying their personal rights were being eroded and their children were suffering socially.

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Families protest any potential mask mandates before the Hillsborough County School Board meeting last month in Tampa, Fla.

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Octavio Jones/Getty Images

Families protest any potential mask mandates before the Hillsborough County School Board meeting last month in Tampa, Fla.

Octavio Jones/Getty Images

Weingarten said it’s also likely more schools will increase the presence of law enforcement if incidents that harm educators and students continue to occur.

«It just adds to the stress that has been piling on our students, frankly on our staff, for months and months and months. It makes teachers’ jobs harder. It makes parents’ jobs harder, she said.

Educators want students to still feel the magic at school

Leonard said he hopes the added stress of protests and disruptions doesn’t take away from the «magic of seeing students back in classrooms.

«Our kindergarteners were jumping up and down today, Leonard said.

«Yeah, with masks, he added. «But they’re still happy to see their friends, they’re still happy to eat the cafeteria food and they’re excited to meet their new teachers.

The pandemic hasn’t taken that excitement away from kids — and he doesn’t want politics to get in the way.