A movement of parent-run social media accounts advocating for schools to implement mask choice has appeared in cities nationwide.
It began when a group of parents in Darien, Connecticut, started sharing the research behind masking via their @maskchoicedarien Instagram account in August. They pleaded with followers to “follow the science.” When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a study that masks weren’t statistically significant in combating COVID-19, the account reposted it. When other studies found that certain masks weren’t effective at all, they also shared that.
At first, the account garnered just over 100 followers. That figure rose to 1,000 about a month ago when the account started sharing testimonies from inside the classroom. Teachers reportedly began following in swarms and shared their stories.
RETURNING TO NORMALCY ON SCHOOL MASKS
“It has divided me from really forming bonds with my students,” one anonymous teacher wrote of the mask mandate. “I can’t see their emotions forming on their face, I have to ask them to yell to hear them. … The CDC has already said that cloth masks are pointless, are we just wearing them to appease people?”
“They make it uncomfortable to [breathe],” another wrote. “No way I’d publicly speak out — it’s so political now.”
“I am a teacher and literally can not even say a word about any of this because it’s become so political,” another teacher wrote.
The account continued soliciting stories from teachers and parents alike. Then, more accounts in neighboring towns sprung up. Connecticut accounts, including in Darien, New Canaan, and Fairfield, all boast more than 1,000 followers each.
Cities in states outside Connecticut with similar mandates followed suit. Now, there are more than 200 Mask Choice accounts in the tri-state area alone, not including the accounts sprouting in Maryland, Virginia, and elsewhere.
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This Darien chapter’s latest victory included the Diocese of Bridgeport lifting mask mandates effective Feb. 14. Their local school board has yet to budge on a mask mandate, however. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont recommended against school mask mandates after Feb. 28 but ultimately left it up to local districts.
