HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Allegan County health officials have updated mask directives for children in schools.
In a statement emailed to the media, County Health Director Angelique Joynes noted COVID-related deaths were reported on Aug. 20 and 27, bringing Allegan County’s pandemic total to 160 people. The county’s records currently show 743 people with the virus, and a positive-test rate close to 12 percent. Health officials say the manageable rate is 3 percent or less. See the full updated order: allegancounty.org/sites/Office/Health/coronavirus/ACHD%20Mask%20Order_08.31.2021.pdf
Effective immediately:
- Children in kindergarten through sixth grade will be required to wear masks covering the mouth and nose while in school. Federal rules require masks on all public transportation.
- Anyone working in schools with children, regardless of vaccination status, and all people serving medically fragile students will be required to wear a mask covering the mouth and nose while “inside any enclosed building or structure of the institution.”
This replaces guidelines issued earlier this month, and comes on the heels of the Allegan County Commissioners approving language of a resolution last week appealing to health officials to remove any mask mandates. The resolution does not have the power of law. At least one, Commissioner Max Thiele, questioned whether, should health officials heed the county commissioners’ resolution, if that might lead to the county getting sued for violating state law. See Michigan’s full public health code at legislature.mi.gov/documents/mcl/pdf/mcl-act-368-of-1978.pdf. Thiele voted against the resolution. See the meeting: youtube.com/watch?v=jZNZI9Rlmh0
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