Schools are dropping mask mandates, but some say not so fast

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to tick up and case and hospitalization rates decline, mask mandates for some school districts are changing, too.

As COVID-19 vaccinations continue to tick up and case and hospitalization rates decline, mask mandates for some school districts are changing, too, providing a bright spot for those hoping for a return to normalcy but caution from those who think it's too soon to drop the key intervention.

Masking in schools -- a policy that researchers say is a simple and cost-effective, non-medical COVID-19 intervention -- has been a highly politicized issue throughout the pandemic, igniting fury from parents and educators on all sides of the issue and reflecting the contentiousness of face coverings in society at large.

The patchwork of mask policies varies by state and school district, much like policies across the country at large, with several states trying to ban mandates, while others are in line with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending universal indoor masking in K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status.

Lifting mandates currently in place may be tied to factors such as vaccination rates in school populations, community transmission and hospitalizations. And more schools are likely to revisit their masking guidelines in the coming weeks, too, as children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine. The changing protocols, which go against current CDC guidance, have ignited debate in school districts about whether it's too soon to make masking optional, especially with colder months and holidays approaching, or not soon enough.