The Hillsborough County School Board voted in favor of a 30-day mask mandate beginning on August 19, during an emergency school board meeting to respond to the increasing number of COVID cases in the county. The 5-2 vote took place on August 18 at 5:45 after Hillsborough County reported the greatest number of cases in Florida. Over 10,000 students are quarantined in Hillsborough County along with nearly 400 teachers.

Durant has had 30 total cases reported since the first day of school (26 students, 4 employees). The rising number of cases obviously poses a health concern, but one of the other motivations behind the new mask mandate was the number of students who are now forced to miss school because of quarantines.

While quarantines are shortened to 10 days (even shorter with a negative test), students are still missing significant classroom time. Students who are vaccinated will not be quarantined if they present a vaccination card with both shots being given two weeks prior.

Vaccines still appear to be the best option for preventing the spread of COVID, but masks have been shown to reduce the spread.

….more information coming soon