CPS mask mandate lifted despite continued pushback from Chicago Teachers Union

There was blended response from college students and oldsters throughout the town. Many stated they may seemingly maintain sporting their face masks for now – particularly at colleges with decrease vaccination charges – regardless of the masks mandate ending. And that is one thing the CPS CEO recommends, as properly.

“Sadly, we do have colleges which have very low vaccination charges and we do ask households to please one first get a vaccination, please,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez stated. “But when they are not vaccinated, we strongly encourage them to put on their masks.”

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Some households at Penn Elementary on the West Facet have been heeding that warning.

“All of us are totally vaccinated however I might fairly my youngsters proceed to put on their masks as a result of, simply because right this moment it stops, does not imply that COVID is not nonetheless going round,” father or mother Smaika Austin stated.

“I’m nonetheless going to let him put on it,” stated one other father or mother recognized solely by her first identify, Theresa. “It is as much as different children and different mother and father on how they select to vaccinate their children or not vaccinate. It is a large controversy about it, however I am simply going to stay to what’s been working for us.”

The present take a look at positivity price within the metropolis is 0.7%, however the Chicago Lecturers Union is pushing again. The CTU has filed a labor grievance, saying the choice violates their security settlement set again in January.

“That was anticipated, but it surely’s energetic litigation so I will not say a lot,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot stated. “We needs to be grateful we’re on the place we’re right this moment at 1% positivity.”

The union stated the masks elective coverage breaks the settlement to maintain masks on by the tip of the college yr.

“You understand, the CTU are our valued companions and we’ll proceed to work with them,” Martinez stated. “However when now we have to comply with the science, and the second, now we have to verify we maintain our flexibility.”

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Over a 3rd (37%) of faculties have fewer than 25% of their college students totally vaccinated, and solely 10% of faculties have 70% of their college students totally vaccinated, in response to a earlier report.

Total, 49% of age eligible CPS college students are totally vaccinated. However that quantity is pushed up by colleges, many on the North Facet, with excessive charges. The bottom is Penn Elementary on the West Facet at 5%.

College students who nonetheless selected to put on their masks Monday had totally different causes, however many stated they simply wish to keep on the secure aspect.

“I’ve a whole lot of immunocompromised mates, so it isn’t only for me; I wanna maintain them secure, you realize, it is actually not truthful that they are immunocompromised,” Northside Faculty Prep pupil Gayathri Garapaty stated.

“I simply take into consideration my household and the way COVID has affected them, and I feel it is actually essential to put on your masks and shield myself, my household and others as properly,” classmate Erica Leon stated.

However some college students at Northside are making the selection to go with out their masks, hoping others will respect their choice.

“Within the hallways, I am not gonna put on it simply because now we have the very best vaccination price of another college, so it does not make sense, and I most likely will not put on it in fitness center class both,” Soren Sandberg stated.

At Northside, some college students really feel higher figuring out most of their classmates are nonetheless sporting them.

“I do not actually wish to stand out an excessive amount of so I really feel like relieved,” Amargoe Gagan stated.

CPS stated if well being metrics begin to transfer within the mistaken path, the district may re-instate the masks coverage.