On August 18, 2021, the Supreme Court of California rejected the petition from the OC Board of Education to challenge Governor Gavin Newsom’s ordinance to require masks at schools.
The decision follows the Board’s filing of that petition to California’s Supreme Court. The petition described the state governor’s mandate about face masks as unsound and one that lacks a scientific basis.
Newsom emphasized the requirement for getting kids back to their schools as safely and fast as possible. The Governor’s Press Secretary Daniel Lopez said that getting them back to schools safely for full and traditional education has been the state’s objective. Lopez also stated that California has seen promising outcomes thanks to its reliance on the safety strategy recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As for Lopez, the court’s rejection of the attempt to interfere with Newsom’s ordinance reaffirms California’s strategy. Lopez added that California has a commitment to work with non-California state officials, other local administrations, and school districts to confirm that schools implement the mandate to protect staff and children.
Second District Representative Katrina Foley described the lawsuit as a political drama that has to be disregarded. In a recent press conference, Foley stated that the Board has the right to file any petition it considers necessary. At the same time, Foley sounded uncertain about the Board’s capability to propel the lawsuit in the US courts.
Foley doubts whether the lawsuit would go anywhere when the Superior Court of California requires the use of masks. The Orange County Department of Education’s Superintendent Al Mijares understands that a face mask is the best protection against coronavirus for California’s young residents. Therefore, he is not opposing the rule.
On August 19, 2021, Irvine Unified School District students started the 2021-2022 academic year. According to California’s orders, every student should wear a mask when they are indoors.
