‘Let’s be responsible:’ Clayton County superintendent on change of mask mandate policy

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Clayton County Public Schools made the announcement on Thursday that all staff and visitors will have to wear a mask.

That new rule started on Monday.

The mandate is not for students. They still have an option to wear a mask when school starts.

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Channel 2′s Audrey Washington spoke to the superintendent, who said he noticed a rise in COVID-19 cases in some district departments.

That rise made him implement the mask mandate.

A student at M.D. Roberts school tested positive for COVID-19 and exposed other children to the virus last year.

Now, right before the new school year begins, students will be allowed to attend mask free while teachers and staff in Clayton County will all have to mask up.

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“It’s scary,” parent Jessica Tucker said was her reaction after she received a letter about her twins and other students at M.D. Roberts Middle School, last year.

“They were exposed to COVID,” Tucker said.

She said the COVID-19 exposure happened after a student tested positive.

Now news of another COVID-related update that all Clayton County school teachers and staff will be required to wear masks.

The Clayton County superintendent of schools, Morcease J. Beasley, said he decided to issue the mask mandate after he noticed an uptick in COVID-19 cases at some district departments.

“We thought let’s be responsible. We want to prepare for students returning in a few days and we don’t want staff out of pocket,” Beasley said.

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In March, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill that allows parents to opt kids out of school mask mandates.

“I do think the law impacts our ability to implement a comprehensive mask strategy,” Beasley said.

And Gwinnett County schools also issued a mask mandate for all staff after COVID-19 cases rose in the area.

As for Clayton County, about 1,200 parents have enrolled their kids in virtual learning.

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