Mask mandates loosening in Washington

With mask mandates set to lift in late March, half of school district personnel are skeptical about the idea, and our readers can voice their own opinions in a brief online poll.

Governor Jay Inslee announced on Feb. 17 that Covid-19 mask restrictions will be loosening in March for the state.

As of March 21, masks will still be required at medical facilities, long term care settings, public transit, correctional facilities, and at whatever private businesses that choose to require them.

They will no longer be required at schools, libraries, restaurants, bars, gyms, grocery, or retail stores.

There is some hesitation about lifting the mandates among local staff within the Grand Coulee Dam School District. 

Superintendent Paul Turner said at the Feb. 14 school board meeting that when informally polling school staff, they were about 50/50 on supporting lifting the mandates for students and staff.

Turner said that if the mandates were lifted, anyone who wants to wear a mask still can.

Readers can voice their own opinion in an online Star poll at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SW93VX3 which will also be shared on The Star’s Facebook page.