SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES (WSNN) – Masks are a hot topic once again because the Delta variant spreading like wildfire. Some parents are for it, others are against it.
“I do hope that all of the children have to wear masks next year,” Manatee County School mom, Crystal Rothhaar said.
“They should be parent’s choice,” Sarasota County School mom Heather Costa said. “I personally feel that they don’t work.”
With the Delta variant taking off, the CDC updated its mask guidelines for the fully vaccinated people, this week. CDC advises if you live in an area of “substantial” or “high” COVID-19 transmission, you should wear a mask indoors. According to this map, all of Florida falls under these categories.
“I’m a little concerned because I want my kids to be safe,” Rothhaar said. “I also want them to enjoy school and have a good experience, but being safe is my number one priority for them.”
“We all have an immune system, build it up,” Costa said. “The plan is to send him to school on the first day with no mask in sight.”
Governor Ron DeSantis does not want any mask mandates at Florida schools. Based on the last school board meetings for Manatee and Sarasota counties, masks are optional.
“I want to wear them because we all have family members, my grandparents, and I want to keep them safe,” Rothhaar said.
Rothhaar’s son, Ryan Rothhaar is 9-years-old and goes to Willis Elementary School in Manatee County.
“Even if my friends don’t wear masks, I want to wear one to make it safer,” Ryan said.
“I don’t like to wear masks period,” Sarasota High School freshman Caleb Hoelzer said.
Eric Beeker and Hoelzer have special needs and are going to Sarasota High School this year. Eric is Heather’s son. She says if masks are required, she will not put him in school this year because it hinders him from learning.
“I don’t like masks cause they get in the way,” Eric Beeker said.
Mantatee and Sarasota schools start on August 10th.
The next school board meeting for Sarasota is on August 3rd. And August 11th for Manatee. Masks are not on either agenda right now, but that may change.
