ODH 'strongly recommends' masks for unvaccinated as K-12 schools prepare for new year

Jul. 26—The Ohio Department of Health is "strongly recommending" masks for those who have not received the coronavirus vaccine as part of guidance for K-12 schools for the upcoming school year, said ODH Chief Medical Office Bruce Vanderhoff.

No mandates will be included in the updated guidelines as the state continues to see an increase of coronavirus cases.

"It is clear that we will need to let this decision to be made by the parents and this decision to be made by the schools," Gov. Mike DeWine said Monday afternoon.

The guidance will be released no later than tomorrow, Vanderhoff said Monday.

"Issuing this guidance will allow school districts to have the flexibility and the support they need to provide in-person learning five days a week," he said. "We are building upon the layered prevention strategies that were remarkably effective last school year."

The guidance is taking a three-part approach, including strongly recommending the COVID-19 vaccine for staff and eligible students and masks for the unvaccinated as well as other prevention strategies, such as improving ventilation, good hand sanitation and maximizing distance between people.

"Wearing masks protects students, teachers and staff from COVID-19," Vanderhoff said. "This is especially important indoors and crowded settings where physical distance cannot be maintained and for individuals who aren't' fully vaccinated. We encourage consistent and correct mask use in the schools for anyone who is unvaccinated which includes wearing masks indoors at school."

Vaccination and masks are two tools Ohioans should use if they want their children to stay in school, DeWine said.

"I desperately want to see our kids in school this year," he said. "We do not want to go through a year where they're in and out of school. We do not want to go through a year where many of them are remote. This is how we do it."

The governor also said he does not believe there's "an appetite" in the state for mandated masks in schools.

Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is the only one available to those 12 and older in the U.S.

Vanderhoff added that generally masks aren't needed when outside, including during recess or physical education activities. He encouraged schools to utilize outdoor learning and outdoor activities when possible.