Flemington-Raritan Parents Question Need for Masks Outside at School

FLEMINGTON, NJ – Flemington-Raritan parents Monday night expressed hopes that their children will get more breaks from masks with the governor’s relaxation of mask mandates in the state.

On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order eliminating the requirement of use of masks in outdoor spaces.

“New Jersey is making incredible progress toward our vaccination goals and our COVID-19 case numbers continue to trend downward, allowing us to eliminate the need for masks outdoors,” said Murphy in a press release. “Outdoor environments pose a lesser risk of transmission of the virus than indoor settings, and lifting the indoor mask mandate at this time could lead to a rise in transmission among those not yet fully vaccinated, including children who are either not yet eligible or who have just recently become eligible. As we approach our vaccination target in the coming weeks, we expect to be able to safely lift the indoor mask requirement soon.”

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The order notes that outdoor public spaces do not include child care centers, other child care facilities, youth summer camps and public, private and parochial preschool program premises, and elementary and secondary schools.

Parent Jessica Lombardo wrote in an email to the Flemington-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education that she would like clarification on when children can have mask breaks, especially outside “where risk is very low.” She cited research that shows there have been zero deaths between ages 5 and 17 in New Jersey from COVID-19.

“I would love to see more mask breaks incorporated into the school day,” Lombardo said.

In response, Superintendent Dr. Kari McGann wrote an email that, in part, explained that masks are not needed outside when 6 feet of social distancing is possible.

In another email, parent Michelle Hurley said her two children return home with “wet and soiled” masks that may pose more of a risk than COVID itself.

During the citizens’ input portion of Monday’s virtual school board meeting, parent Rebecca Peterson also addressed the mask issue.

“I noticed that Gov. Murphy came out and said, outdoors, no masks needed,” she said. “That should apply to our children as well, whether there is 6 feet of distancing or not.”

“When it’s 90 degrees outside and it’s 90 degrees in the classroom, that mask is going to be wet, and when it’s wet, it no longer provides protection of any kind,” she added.

Other parents agreed.

“I hope to hear an answer from Dr. McGann earlier than the end of the week on not wearing it outside,” Carolyn Goodwin said, adding she hopes McGann will address the matter before her usual Friday letter to parents, community members and stakeholders.

McGann was not present for Monday night’s meeting.