Local health department will recommend masks in school

A key figure with the local health department said it will recommend, but probably not mandate, that school districts adopt universal masking in grades K-12 when classes resume for the 2021-22 academic year.

Rebecca Burns, health officer for the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, appeared Tuesday before St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners. Burns provided her annual report for 2020, but the topic of masks was raised by commissioner Jared Hoffmaster after Burns concluded her report.

Hoffmaster prefaced his question by saying he and his family have been advocates of the COVID-19 vaccine from the start. He said the agency needs to make sure it has a plan so it can advise school boards and superintendents.

Burns reiterated the agency, at the moment, will be recommending universal masking in K-12 when students go back to school this year.

Hoffmaster said adults 12 years of age and older have the choice of getting vaccinated. Those who don’t will have to deal with the health consequences should circumstances warrant.

Commissioners agreed, saying vaccination is the most effective way of keeping COVID-19 at bay.