COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Health said it will not mandate masks when students return to school. Instead, masks will be strongly recommended.
"The safety of Ohio's children is paramount," said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff.
Vanderhoff said the delta variant of COVID-19 is ripping through our state unlike anything we have seen before and we need to protect our kids.
"It simply takes less of this virus to spread from the mouth or nose of an infected person to that of another non-infected person," Vanderhoff said.
As a result, ODH is advising any students, teachers or staff who have not been vaccinated to wear masks indoors and if they cannot properly socially distance outdoors. ODH also recommends anyone who is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine to do so.
"While there are no mandates associated with this guidance, we believe that the recommendations we are issuing are essential to the health of Ohio's youth and the success of the coming school year," said Vanderhoff.
The American Academy of Pediatrics has said everyone in schools should wear masks even if they have gotten the vaccine.
Scott DiMauro, president of the Ohio Education Association, said it is too early to tell whether the state missed a chance Monday to enact a uniform policy on masks.
"What I do hope though is that local school officials will work with educators will follow the science and will make decisions that are necessary to protect students. Right now, that's a local decision. Let's hope that locals, free from any influence of politics, will do the right thing," said DiMauro.
Back in March, the General Assembly successfully overrode Gov. Mike DeWine's veto of a bill, Senate Bill 22, that gives the Legislative Branch oversight when it comes to orders issued during a state of emergency like a mask mandate.
Vanderhoff would not comment on whether he and the department felt like their hands were tied as a result.