CDC examines school mask mandates

A recent analysis by the Centers for Disease Control takes a look at the controversial issue of mask mandates in schools.

UND Med School Dean Joshua Wynne called it an interesting study that focused strictly on K-12 education.  Wynne says the analysis compared schools without mask requirements and those who started the year with mask requirements.  “Those schools K to 12 without mask requirements has a three-and-a-half fold increase likelihood to have a COVID outbreak that those with a mask mandate.  So there certainly is data to support that the masks help.”

Wynne says the study does not imply causality – but suggests an important association.

The Grand Forks School District started the year with a face covering requirement and has identified around two dozen positive COVID cases among students and staff in each of the last two weeks.  Around 65% of staff are currently vaccinated.