GLASTONBURY, Conn. — For the first time in over a year, masks were optional inside most public schools across Connecticut. For some, it was a relief, but for others it brought anxiety. School officials told FOX61 they’ve had to remind students to respect everyone’s personal choice.
Gov. Ned Lamont greeted students outside Glastonbury High School after the dismissal bell Monday. As the students exited, some had masks while others did not. Most students told FOX61 it’s a day they’ve been looking forward to.
“It’s honestly kind of relieving,” said student Michael Litke.
“Yeah I’m really excited not to have to wear masks anymore,” added student Alison Buyers.
A mask sign still hangs outside the front of the school. There’s cautious optimism it’ll be a relic of a bygone era.
“This is our new normal going forward,” Lamont. “I think every one of these kids had a big smile on their face and it was nice to be able to see it.”
In Glastonbury, even though masks were optional, the district still sent all students home with a COVID test kit and asked them to use it over the weekend.
“Indeed, we did find that there were eight cases of COVID found by the test kits that were asymptomatic, we never would have known about it, the families wouldn’t have known about it,” said Dr. Alan Bookman, the Glastonbury Schools superintendent.
Not all districts handed out test kits. If not for the test kits, eight COVID-positive students could have gone maskless in the school.
“The infection rate is very low so I don’t see any problem coming out of this,” remarked Lamont.
Connecticut was under a COVID school mask mandate for more than a year. Some are concerned that we could see a COVID school vaccine mandate next.
“I think I’ll leave well enough alone for now. We will see what the future brings,” Lamont said.
About 85% of all of Connecticut’s school districts chose to go mask optional. Those who didn’t are mostly the big city districts where vaccination rates tend to be lower.
Now in addition to the new mask policies in school, districts across the state are also scrambling to communicate the new mask guidance on school buses that the CDC changed at the last minute on Friday. The new policy allows students to go maskless on the bus.
The state education commissioner still has the authority to re-impose a mask mandate at any time before June 30th.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.