Masks No Longer Required at Crane and Other Area Schools

Now that COVID-19 cases have decreased and vaccines have become available to teachers, some schools and counties have started to repeal their mask mandate. 

The Crane school district has just recently gotten rid of their mask mandate at their schools. On Crane’s Facebook page they stated, “Students will be required to follow mask requirements of other schools when off-campus, such as vo-tech and athletics.” They also mentioned students will have to wear masks if they are ill or do not feel well. Crane Schools elaborated, “Students with symptoms, such as a cough or sore throat, will be required to wear a mask until symptoms disappear.”

The normal protocol for quarantine will remain the same as before, requiring quarantine after coming into contact with someone who has COVID-19 or has symptoms. Crane’s Facebook page also stated that, “If a student comes in contact with someone who is diagnosed with COVID then quarantine protocols will come into effect.” Some kids, however, will still wear their masks if their parents want them to. “If you want your student to always wear a mask, please contact the office in the school your child attends.”

With the mask mandate not in effect, students and teachers are more likely to catch COVID-19. KY3 News made an article about COVID cases in the Crane School District and wrote, “The latest person to test positive is a teacher at Crane Elementary School.” The teacher who tested positive for COVID-19 was handing out packets at the school on a Friday before developing symptoms.

Even with COVID-19 present, the students must still learn. “The district has been providing take home school work,” stated the Crane School District. 

By not requiring a mask mandate, COVID-19 outbreaks have the possibility of being a lot worse than when the mask mandate is in effect, giving the chance for other schools to watch Crane and decide what the best course of action in this situation for them to take will be.

Editor’s Note: Since the writing of this article, a handful of other school districts no longer have a mask mandate, including Camdenton and Buffalo.