Orange County school officials consider changes to mask policy

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools officials discussed making possible changes to their mask policy at a school board meeting Tuesday night.

OCPS and the school board agreed on a policy last month, but on Tuesday, they discussed possible changes, specifically when it comes to when and where people do not have to wear them.

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For example, the policy currently says students and employees who do not have a medical waiver can only remove their masks if they maintain social distancing outdoors. On Tuesday, they considered allowing mask breaks indoors.

The discussion also touched on requirements for students in choir, band, and theatre.

Under one of the proposed changes, students who play an instrument with a mouthpiece, for example, would be required to wear a mask with a slit in it, indoors and outdoors, regardless of social distancing opportunities.

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The proposed policy goes on to require “bell covers” for wind instruments, which covers a horn’s bell without affecting the sound quality.

The district says it will provide the covers and masks with slits as soon as possible.

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The school district is considering these changes as Orange County Health Officer Dr. Raul Pino says he’s investigating two “super spreader” events where a lot of people were infected with COVID-19 at once. Pino says one event was a party and the other was a church choir.

All proposed changes will move toward a formal public meeting and vote on Oct. 13.

See the school district’s current mask policy with the proposed changes below:

Cox Media Group