The Board of Education is currently making the decision to mask the children of Tallapoosa County without considering the potential harm that can come from masking and are doing so without a specific data set showing masks to be successful in reducing transmission.

The parents of Tallapoosa County respectfully request that the board repeal the mask mandate, given that the continued masking is not backed by provable data showing benefits moving forward. Parents understand that the board is working from the position of being overly cautious; but there is a cost.

By masking our children, the board is risking outcomes in the following ways:

*Children who are developing cultural, language, and social skills need to have the ability to detect emotion on people's faces.

*Children struggling with myopia can have difficulty seeing because the mask fogs their glasses (this has been an issue for medical students in the OR as well).

*Children may suffer from severe acne and/or other skin issues.

*Children experiencing the discomfort of a mask can be distracted from learning. Ireland's Dept of Health announced that it will no longer require masks in schools because they may exacerbate anxiety or breathing difficulties for some students.

*Masks increase airway resistance during exhalation and can lead to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

*Masks can be vectors for pathogens if they are moist or used for too long.

*Masks used while exercising may reduce available oxygen and increase air trapping preventing substantial carbon dioxide exchange.

The above ramifications are noted by Dr. Makary (Johns Hopkins), Dr. Meissner (Tuft's Children), and Professor Vinay Prasad (UCSF) and are available upon request.

Children are at a significantly lower level of experiencing severe illness from COVID-19. While we understand and appreciate that this disease poses a threat to our county's health, we do not believe that masking children is the best way to combat the illness.

By signing this petition, you agree that the choice to mask the children of Tallapoosa County should lie solely with the parents.