As of March, 2nd 2022 masks have been optional in Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).  The new COVID mask policy was recently signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin in Senate Bill 739.  The new policy, which Youngkin introduced  the day he took office in mid-January, allows for parents and guardians to “elect for their children not to be subject to any mask mandate in effect at the child’s school or educational program.”   FCPS originally decided that COVID masks were still mandatory for all students going against the governor’s order, however, they are now in compliance with the governor’s order. 

As of March 8, 2022 an estimated 85% of students and staff at Glasgow Middle School still properly wear their masks. 8th grader Kellyn Doherty, says, “Masks work with stopping the spread of COVID, so I don’t believe letting students optionally not wear masks is very safe for our school environment.” However, another student agrees with the new policy. 8th grader Chaz Walker, says, “I think that it’s better to go back to old times. The new mask policy gives students another way to connect with teachers in a way that gives them a better learning experience.” 

When asked about the effects of masks on health, Principal Victor Powell said, “I think to me that’s a no-brainer, I think masks have positively helped.” Principal Powell further added some additional context to his response by saying,  “If we have had multiple outbreaks and your whole grade level had been paused multiple times this year or your class had been sent home multiple times this year or your teachers who have been out for 2 or 3 months, I mean, have you seen any of that? No.”  

It’s too soon to tell if the mask policy change will result in any new COVID cases at Glasgow.  Most students and teachers are just very grateful to be back at school this year.   Hopefully, we all can finish the year in person without any pauses or need to go back to virtual learning.