Oregon’s Newly Imposed Permanent School Mask Mandate Draws Criticism

Oregon’s Newly Imposed Permanent School Mask Mandate Draws Criticism
A masked attendee walks past anti-vaccine mandate protesters as they gather during a Portland Public Schools board meeting to discuss a proposed vaccine mandate for students in Portland, Ore., on Oct. 26, 2021. Nathan Howard/Getty Images
Scottie Barnes
Updated:

Even as nations around the world are easing their pandemic restrictions, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) on Jan. 28 adopted a permanent school mask mandate.

Since returning to in-person instruction last year, Oregon students have been required to wear masks at school except for removing them briefly when eating or during outdoor sports. That requirement was temporary, though, and expired after 180 days. The state adopted the “permanent” mandate in place of that temporary measure.

Scottie Barnes
Scottie Barnes
Freelance reporter
Scottie Barnes writes breaking news and investigative pieces for The Epoch Times from the Pacific Northwest. She has a background in researching the implications of public policy and emerging technologies on areas ranging from homeland security and national defense to forestry and urban planning.
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