Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp: Let parents opt students out of masks in Georgia

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says he will propose a measure that would let parents opt their children out of school mask mandates, following a flap in which GOP primary rival David Perdue attacked Kemp for not doing more to end masking in schools.

"I’ve been very patient. I’ve been a local control governor, but this has gone on for too long," Kemp told reporters Wednesday. “Parents are beyond frustrated in a very, very small number of districts in our state, about young children, especially, being masked."

The state Department of Education doesn't track how many districts statewide require masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but some metro Atlanta districts do. They include Gwinnett County, DeKalb County, Clayton County and Atlanta. Some districts in other parts of the state also require them, including Savannah-Chatham County.

Kemp's aides said they are drafting a bill and that the governor's legislative floor leaders would introduce it in coming days.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/kemp-let-parents-opt-students-out-of-masks-in-georgia/ar-AATFCyA

[Ilsa]

1. Right now, that might be the best, most popular

move to make. Parents like having the control, and eliminating masks in school is a hot topic.

[Mad_Machine76]

3. But most parents aren't epidemiologists

or virologists. But that seems to be the way the winds are blowing so I guess we’ll just see what happens. Or COVID will tell us one way or another.

[Haggard Celine]

2. I have just about given up the mask fight.

Most people who wear them, and around here that number is receding rapidly, aren't even wearing the N95s. They're wearing cloth masks that match their clothes or just look cool or whatever, and those aren't effective against Omicron. I think we've lost the mask fight around here. They aren't even wearing them consistently in doctor's offices. As things stand, I guess it's time to acknowledge reality and let everyone do as they will with the masks. Sounds like it's a similar situation in Georgia, so I wouldn't blame Kemp if he made it optional there. Really, all you can do is get your vaccines. That's what we should be encouraging people to do.

[AlexSFCA]

4. vaccines are MUCH more effective than masks