SAN ANGELO, Texas — West Texas parents are outraged at the recent mask mandate ordered by Tom Green County Local Health Authority Dr. James Vretis.
On Aug. 24, San Angelo Independent School District issued a statement announcing the Tom Green County Local Health Authority has a mask mandate in place for any school facility in Tom Green County where a positive COVID-19 student or staff case has been confirmed.
Parents took to the SAISD Facebook page with over 500 comments expressing their opinions on the mandate that is scheduled to take place on Aug. 26. One parent says this county mandate is unlawful and defies Gov. Greg Abbott’s orders.
“My children will have a mask in their pocket but I've already informed them don't wear it. If you're forced to wear it, put it on to stay out of trouble but keep it off otherwise. Pull the mask down and expose your nose if you want to, wear it around your chin for all I care. Governor Abbott had it right, it shouldn't be mandated,” parent Jennifer Durgeat explained.
One parent went as far as making shirts that read ‘No Mask’ with the words crossed out. Another parent with her children in elementary, middle and high school said she’s more than willing to pull her children out of school if necessary because she disapproves of the mandate.
“We as parents and individuals should have the right to choose whether our children wear a mask or not, not the government. Everyone should just be respectful of each other's opinions,” San Angelo parent Stephanie Sandoval said.
She also mentioned she sent the mandate information and paperwork to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxon requested Texas residents to inform him if their school district is “unlawfully imposing a mask mandate.” So far there are nearly 90 schools on Paxton’s list of mask mandating schools.