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WATERLOO, Iowa (KWWL) – Some students, teachers and other staff in the Waterloo and Cedar Falls community school districts will be required to wear masks starting Monday.
On Friday afternoon, principals from both districts announced a week-long mask mandate for kindergarten and elementary school students and teachers. As of Monday, face coverings will be required to be worn throughout the “teaching day” but will not include recess, lunch or outdoor activities.
School leaders said they decided to implement the new mitigation strategy due to the increase in “high and low risk symptoms” in Cedar Falls. Federal health officials have yet to approve the COVID-19 vaccine for school-aged children, aged 5 to 11.
“Both school district plans are designed to mitigate the spread of the virus, ensure that in-person teaching continues and allow for modifications if needed, ”Waterloo Superintendent Dr. Jane Lindaman said in a press release.
Earlier this week, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said the company’s vaccine could be available for this age group as early as next month.
He says the company plans to submit data to the Food and Drug Administration on how its injection is working in this age group by the end of this month or perhaps the first week of October. After that, it will be up to the FDA to decide whether or not to approve the vaccine.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is fully approved for people 16 years of age and older and for emergency use in children 12 to 15 years old. As middle and high school students are old enough to be vaccinated, masks will remain optional but strongly encouraged. This includes sixth graders, some of whom are not old enough to get vaccinated. Waterloo principals plan to monitor the situation.
Both districts will continue to monitor viral activity within the school district and manage contact tracing for positive cases. Cedar Falls plans to update families on its case numbers every two weeks.
“We have worked diligently to determine the next steps informed by professional advice, the law and its possible interpretations, as well as the health and educational needs of our families and staff,” the Superintendent said Friday. from Cedar Falls, Andy Pattee, in a statement.
Several school districts issued mask warrants last week after a federal judge temporarily blocked state law preventing districts from doing so.
The mask’s term for students at Waterloo and Cedar Falls elementary schools will only last until next week. Both districts expect to have a finalized plan by the end of next Friday on mitigation strategies in elementary schools moving forward.
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