VEA Statement on Youngkin Rollback of Mask Mandate

Jan. 19, 2022 by the Virginia Education Association

The health and safety of students and educators is always our primary concern. For that reason, the Virginia Education Association (VEA) is very disappointed with the rollback of the statewide mask mandate announced by Gov. Youngkin on Saturday. The science is clear that proper masking is the single most effective COVID mitigation strategy for students and educators in classroom where social distancing is not possible. VEA stands with staff, students, and families all over the Commonwealth in their concern for protecting health and safety within our schools.

We know the Omicron variant is more contagious than previous forms of COVID-19, and with case rates skyrocketing and hospitalization rates increasing exponentially, now is absolutely not the time to take such a drastic and unnecessary step. VEA continues to advise all members and educators to continue to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, for the safety of everyone in the classroom.

Please know that the VEA will be working at the local level to ensure that every school division and board of education is aware of their legal rights and responsibilities regarding maintaining the health and safety of educators and students between now when the mask mandate will expire on January 24th. We will also be investigating how this Executive Order will come in conflict with federal mask requirements on school buses.

I know for many of you, this Executive Order brings up many uncomfortable memories from the past two years. We have all fought hard to protect the health and safety of our student and ourselves, but please know VEA will continue to do everything we can to ensure we all get through this, together.