Governor Mandates Return to Face Coverings in Indoor School Settings

By Shannon Weidemann (McKone) on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

BAKER CITY – Last week, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated interim public health recommendations to include “universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.”

Following this announcement, Governor Brown directed the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to create a rule requiring face coverings in indoor school settings. The district anticipates updated guidance from ODE within the next few days addressing health protocols for the upcoming school year. Baker School District remains committed to working with the Baker County Health Department to stay abreast of the dynamic situation.

As a result of this mandate, Baker School District will again require face coverings be worn in indoor school settings, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status, starting Monday, August 2.

In a recent announcement, the Baker County Health Department acknowledged increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in Baker County. “This is the highest number of cases in a week that have been identified from the beginning of the pandemic,” said Nancy Staten, Health Department Administrator. “We’ve diagnosed sixty-eight new cases of COVID-19 over the past week.”

Superintendent Mark Witty continues to be engaged with elected and appointed state officials to keep abreast of the changing requirements. In these conversations, he is advocating for more local control and flexibility in the implementation of health protocols.

A virtual board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 5. At that time, Mr. Witty plans to update the board concerning health protocols, among other business. The public will have an opportunity for public comment during this meeting.

“While we genuinely empathize with those in the community who are expressing disappointment with the recent turn of events,” said Witty, “our top concern remains keeping students and staff safe and in school in-person. We are committed to doing what we can to keep our schools open.”