Make Masks Optional For MASD

To: Superintendent Mr. Barry Balaski and MASD Board Members:

We (the parents/ guardians and residents of Moon Area School District) request that the School Board remove mandatory masks for all students and staff and make masks “optional” for the 2021-2022 school year.

The mask mandate in Pennsylvania was lifted on June 28, 2021. Mask mandates for all ages and for any school activities are no longer required. Per a letter dated June 22, 2021 from State Representative Valerie Gaydos, “if your school board, at its’ discretion, chooses to implement and enforce their own mitigation practices, that will remain solely at the school board’s decision and expense.”

It is unnecessary and unhealthy to continue to require our children to cover their faces with masks at school for hours on end. The Journal of the American Medical Association released results of a randomized clinical trial which proves that masking school children results in the inhalation of elevated carbon dioxide levels, especially in younger children.  https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2781743 

The author, Dr. Harald Walach, suggests that decision-makers weigh the hard evidence produced by experimental measurements accordingly, which suggest that children should not be forced to wear face masks.

CDC data shows that children do not readily acquire SARS-CoV-2 (very low risk), spread it to other children or teachers, or endanger parents or others at home. In the rare cases where a child contracts Covid virus it is very unusual for the child to get severely ill or die. CDC data for age group 0 -18 has a 99.96% survival rate. According to the John Hopkins Study dated July21, 2021, there are zero Covid deaths among healthy kids. https://thefederalist.com/2021/07/21/johns-hopkins-study-found-zero-covid-deaths-among-healthy-kids/

We believe that masking can harm children:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33923935/  Concerns are being raised regarding psychological and physical deterioration, with potential negative impacts on cognitive development. This is even more critical for children with special needs or those within the autism spectrum who need to be able to recognize facial expression as part of their ongoing development. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20646129/ 

We believe parents/families should be able to perform their own risk assessment, considering physical, mental, and psychological risks and benefits for their children when it comes to all medical decisions, including masking.

By signing this petition, we officially and respectfully request that you immediately make face-coverings optional for all children and staff in the Moon Area School District for the 2021-2022 school year.  

Do you agree that masks should be optional for Moon students? Here's how you can help! 

Sign the Petition: This petition will be sent to the Moon Area School Board. We need as many signatures as possible!  

Contact the Board: masdboard@moonarea.net (group email for all School Board members)

Please email all Moon Area School Board Members and request that masks are optional for the 2021-2022 school year.    

Speak at the School Board Meeting:  The Moon Area School Board will be meeting on Monday, August 9th at 7:00 PM at the MASD High School Building.  

Visit us on our Facebook group: United for Freedom – Moon Area Regional Grassroots

United for Freedom - Moon Area Regional Grassroots    Contact the author of the petition