The House Education Committee passed a bill on Tuesday that will ban mask mandates at the local level. But Oldham County parent Kristin Worthen is worried that children who have medical issues will be at risk.
“I am here today to represent the perspective of a vulnerable family living through this pandemic and an opposition to this bill,” Worthen said. “We have a 4-year-old at home who was born with a condition that caused his internal organs to be malformed.”
After attending the meeting, Worthen noted that she and her daughter, who also attended the hearing, will have to go home and quarantine away from the 4-year-old. Both kids won’t be able to attend school.
House Bill 51 “is a straightforward bill that will make face coverings optional in schools,” said Lynn Bechler (R-Marion), the primary sponsor on the bill. “I bring this bill to you by the problems brought on by mask-wearing.”
Among the many problems that Bechler mentioned were increased childhood suicide rates during the pandemic, though it’s not explicitly tied to mask-wearing. He also noted how people communicate more than just with their voice but also with facial expressions.
Without citing specific evidence or studies, Bechler also noted speech issues for students wearing masks, such as phonological awareness. An example of this would be being able to differentiate between a “P and T,” Bechler said.
Bechler said that masks have also caused physical ailments, such as asthma and breathing issues. Another significant physical condition caused by mask-wearing, according to Bechler? Acne.
“Masks create a warm, humid environment, which is an ideal setting for yeast, bacteria, and other flora, which supports acne,” Bechler said. “I’m sure you all have noticed that acne is worse during the pandemic, especially when wearing a mask all day.”
Rob Weber, the communications and policy director for the Kentucky Academy of Science, presented counter-arguments to Bechler’s presentation and the bill.
“Recent data in Kentucky has shown that people within schools daily are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 than the general public,” Weber said. “House Bill 51 would remove the ability of colleges and schools to be guided by science when decisions are made on masking policies.”
Another counter-argument against the bill was the local control issue. Northern Kentucky Rep. Adam Koenig (R-Erlanger), who voted no on the bill, signaled that he’s sat on the committee for a while and has consistently voted to leave decisions up to local leaders.
“I am voting no, and it’s a local control issue just as I said in this committee in regards to 15 minutes on school boards,” Koenig said. “…with all due respect to my friend, the sponsor, I’ve talked to the three superintendents I represent. One district has gotten rid of it already, and another district today is the last day. Another one is fully operational, and it probably will be for a while. I respect their understanding of their school district and their ability to do what they feel is best for their district.”