This petition is offered to keep Masks OPTIONAL for the children of SSPP.

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) like the use of cloth and surgical masks have been utilized to attempt to "slow the spread" of Covid-19. Studies have historically shown these measures to be ineffective to slow the spread of any aerosolized virus particles. Prior to Covid19 masks were not a recommended NPI for respiratory viruses. Randomized Control Trials have continuously shown their ineffectiveness at slowing the spread in real world conditions. Schools systems throughout the country that were mask optional showed a statistically similar results versus mandatory masked districts. As has been well documented children are at little to no risk of serious illness from COVID-19 alpha through lambda variants. Complications of masking HAVE been documented including, hypoxia, hypercapnia from increased CO2 inhalation & a reduction in cognitive performance. There is no DATA ON THE LONG TERM SAFETY OF MASKING A GROWING CHILD 25+ HOURS A WEEK. With the reduced risk to children, no evidentiary basis for masking, and UNKNOWN long term effects, we ask that masks remain optional for the 2021-2022 school year.

8/20/21: New York Magazine article reviewing the CDC's 90,000 student study on COVID19 mitigation strategies in Georgia that shows no statistical improvement from student masking(with links): https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/08/the-scienc...

CDC death data by age vs influenza: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E8jwY_NXIAQqev8?format...

Fair Health Covid19 Mortality Breakdown by age and comorbidities:https://s3.amazonaws.com/media2.fairhealth.org/whi...

Association of American Physicians and Surgeons. History of Mask RCTs & effectiveness as a source control for respiratory viruses: https://aapsonline.org/mask-facts/

Study on the insignificant difference between masked and mark optional districts:https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.05.19...

Masks filtration efficacy when there are ZERO air gaps (Cloth masks only filter 28% of particulates):https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/954584?src=mk...

Children Generate .25 cases per infection. Teachers generate 1.1 cases per infection:https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.04...

President Biden Coronavirus Advisor Dr. Michael Osterholm on masks:https://mobile.twitter.com/JoeMaz/status/132887002...