The COVID-19 pandemic has been politicized by both major parties from the start. This is evident each day as battle lines are drawn around all facets of the crisis. The latest partisan wrangling has to do with mask requirements in schools, which has become another exhausting Left versus Right issue.

Both Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have come down hard on school districts that want to require students to wear masks. Instead of leaving individual districts to decide, these executives have assumed ownership of the decision. This takes away local control and places it in the hands of those who seem more concerned with establishing national political reputations. And all under the semblance of conservatism and freedom.