Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea calls for statewide mask mandate in schools

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) – Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea called for a statewide mask mandate in schools on Wednesday.

“One of the most important roles of government is to protect people and leadership means making tough decisions. In failing to call for a mask mandate in our schools, Governor McKee is putting our kids and educators at risk,” said Gorbea. “The guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics are clear about the need to protect children from the highly contagious Delta strain of COVID-19.  We all want our kids in schools and masking will help us keep them there safely.”

On August 8, the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics said in a statement that all people, regardless of vaccination status, should wear masks indoors as the state remains in the high transmission category. Additionally, the Rhode Island AAP also recommended universal masking in schools.

Governor Dan McKee said earlier this month he was “not afraid to pull the trigger” regarding new mandates, but that his administration would continue to follow the data.