Hingham parents are among hundreds advocating for ‘optional’ face mask policy for return to school

August 10, 2021 by Carol Britton Meyer

More than 500 people have signed a "Keep Masks Optional -- Hingham Parent's Choice!" petition, which was submitted to the School Committee Monday, through change.org. The goal is to collect 1,000 signatures.

The theme behind this petition to school officials is, "Our children need to smile, our teachers need to teach freely, and parents need to be able to choose what is right for their children."

The petition is addressed to "Decision makers" Hingham Public Schools Interim Supt. of Schools Gary Maestas, Asst. Supt. of Schools Jamie LaBillois, School Committee members, and Derby Academy's Head of School Colleen Ramsden.

The premise of the petition is that parents should have the right to choose whether or not their children should wear face masks in school in the fall, based on "so much more information and data than we had a year ago."

The petition states that if a family should decide that masking their child is in their best interests, they should be respected for that choice. At the same time, parents who choose not to mask their children should also be respected for their choice, regardless of the grade in which their children are enrolled.

The petition claims that masks are a medical treatment "with real risks," which emphasizes the importance of letting parents choose whether their children should wear one or not.

More guidance is expected before school starts, but petition signers want to get ahead of the game. "The extensive science and research detailing the harmful mental, physical, emotional, and social effects to our young developing children proves masks are not a one-size-fits-all treatment," the petition states. "In early summer, HOPE was given back to our children with the prospect that the new school year would be seen with optional masks," the petition further states.

"The relief from our happy children was overwhelming. Please don't take that away from them."

A number of parents spoke on both sides of the issue at Monday's remote School Committee meeting. Because the issue wasn't on the agenda, no discussion was allowed, but Chair Kerry Ni said the subject will be addressed at future committee meetings.

Parent Matt Cosman is of the opinion, "If our children put face masks on now, when will it end? I fear they will be wearing masks for the rest of their student experience."

Another parent, Joan Bennett, holds a different view. "I am pro-masking, for myself and others who are immunocompromised," she said. "If my 11-year-old were to contract Covid and bring it home, it would be a death sentence for me -- and others [in similar circumstances] who also have health conditions, including kids. I don't think anyone in the community would want to live with that."

Katy McBrine, who called herself "a proud member of the American Academy of Pediatrics," said this was among the first groups to make a recommendation regarding face masks for the upcoming school year.

"The AAP recommends that anyone above the age of two, vaccinated or not,  wear a mask in school," McBrine said. "The biggest priority is getting the kids back into school safely.  There's a significant population not eligible for the vaccine yet -- the 5 to 11 group is our next age range, but we're not there yet."

McBrine went on to say that wearing face masks "would protect our unvaccinated children and other students who were vaccinated and the vaccine didn't take.

It would be a logistical nightmare if a decision had to be made as to who should wear masks or not. Everyone wearing a face mask is a way to show we care for each other. . . . Yay masks!"

Wendy Driscoll, who has three children entering kindergarten and grades 2 and 3, supports letting parents decide. "Summer camps have been running with no restrictions, and kids have been attending movies and concerts without restrictions," she said. "[More than 80 percent] of the Hingham community is vaccinated -- we've well-reached herd immunity. We're not Louisiana."

Driscoll went on to say that "data and evidence show kids are safe without masks. . . . An unvaccinated child is at less risk of getting Covid than a vaccinated adult. Let's start the school year greeting friends and teachers [without masks] and take a wait-and-see approach," she said.

Parent Victor Steele has two "high-risk" people in his home. "My concern going into the new school year is that students who aren't wearing masks could bring Covid home with them," he said.

In his case if that were to be true -- it would mean "serious consequences for the people I love. I am not alone with these fears."

Ni said in addition to receiving the petition, the School Committee has had a number of communications from parents about this issue. "This is not the end of the  discussion," she said.

The School Committee will continue to meet remotely for the time being.