The DHS says that all K-12 schools in the state are encouraged to enforce masking of students, teachers and staff in all school settings. | Pexels/Ketut Subiyanto
The DHS says that all K-12 schools in the state are encouraged to enforce masking of students, teachers and staff in all school settings. | Pexels/Ketut Subiyanto
The State of Wisconsin is continuing to encourage schools to mandate masks.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) said that all K-12 schools in the state are encouraged to enforce masking of students, teachers and staff in all school settings. Unvaccinated individuals are required to quarantine for a minimum of five days in the event of exposure. Vaccinated individuals are not required to quarantine after being exposed, but are still required to wear a mask.
"Face masks and respirators protect the wearer from illness and protect others by preventing the wearer from spreading disease if they are asymptomatic, pre-symptomatic or do not realize they are sick (16, 17), according to DHS. "Some masks and respirators may offer more protection than others but can be harder to consistently wear throughout the day. It is recommended that individuals wear the most protective mask or respirator they can that fits well and that they can wear comfortably for long periods of time, if necessary. It is important to remember that any mask is better than no mask."
Hart Research Associates recently teamed up with NBC News to conduct a national survey gauging trends related to voters’ opinion on the American political environment and COVID-19 concerns. The survey was conducted from Jan. 14 to 18 and polled 1,000 adults, 790 of which were registered voters.
It revealed that Americans are divided in their attitudes. According to the survey's findings, 37% of people are very focused on COVID-19 and 31% are moderately focused. Alternatively, 10% of people reported they are not focused on COVID-19, while 22% reported to have a low focus on the virus.
When asked where their concerns lie regarding COVID-19 restrictions in schools, 65% of Americans are more concerned about children falling behind in school, while 30% are more concerned about the spread of COVID-19.
The Centers for Disease Control continues to strongly encourage indoor masking in K-12 school settings for all students, staff and visitors “regardless of vaccination status.”
Apart from vaccination being the leading prevention strategy, the CDC says universal masking remains the second most effective mode of protection against COVID-19 transmission.
With low vaccination rates among students and staff in some schools, public health officials are working to implement screening testing in addition to physical distancing and masking.
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