Last summer, before the state school mask mandate, the Hononegah School Board bravely stood for science and public health, mandating masks in school buildings.
The Policy and Personal Committee recommended a science-based Return to School Plan. Meeting minutes are available here. On August 4, 2021, the full School Board held a Special Meeting, formally adopting the plan. Meeting minutes are available here.
Later, the local anti-mask brigade joined with covid lawsuit grifter Attorney Thomas DeVore to sue Hononegah. Yesterday, DeVore and the anti-science crowd had a rare win when a judge temporarily blocked Hononegah from enforcing the mask mandate, overriding the action our local school board had taken.
Thank God Governor JB Pritzker believes in science and cares about our students, teachers, allied staff, hospitals, and healthcare workers. He's asked Attorney General Raoul to immediately appeal the ruling to the 4th District Appellate Court.
We applaud the administration's actions to keep our students safe and in school.
I'm going to think 'outloud' for a bit on this. We seem to be passing the Omicron wave, although infections remain elevated.. I would like to see the Schools set some metrics so people can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Metrics like: when community and/or student body full vaccination rates exceed 70% masking will be phased out. Or when community spread drops below x percent (3 would be my preferred # we were there last summer). Setting the metrics provides an incentive for positive action and puts responsibility back on those who object. Want to see masks go away? Get vaccinated and behave responsibly. I think one of the things i see people obje…