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Fargo Public Schools has dropped its masking requirements in the midst of a surge of the extremely contagious and rapidly spreading omicron variant of COVID-19. It defies logic.
Worse, it puts children who attend Fargo Public Schools at greater risk than is necessary for contracting COVID-19, as well as their friends, families and the community as a whole.
Recent headlines in The Forum make clear the seriousness of the situation:
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“Omicron variant continues to tear through North Dakota as positivity rate sets another record,”
inforum.com
, Jan. 18, 2022
- “Fargo-Moorhead hospitals, schools struggle to find subs for staff out sick with COVID-19,” inforum.com , Jan. 13, 2022
As cases stress hospitals’ ability to care for patients, and as cases skyrocket across the state but especially in Fargo, now clearly is not the time to relax FPS COVID-mitigation measures.
And let’s be clear. At some point months ago or more recently, FPS administrators, the school board or a combination of the two made the decision to blindly follow recommendations from Fargo Cass Public Health and the N.D. Health Department. But those entities are not ultimately responsible for the health and wellbeing of kids in our schools. FPS is.
Let’s be clear about a few other things, too.
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First, COVID is still killing people, even some who have been vaccinated. Second, people who are exhibiting no symptoms are still giving it to others. And, finally, wearing a mask is still one of the best ways to prevent further spread.
Fargo Public Schools need to step up at this critical moment and reinstate masking requirements.
Martin C. Fredricks lives in Fargo.
This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum's editorial board nor Forum ownership.
