Utah Governor calls parents ‘irrational’ for refusing to wear children’s masks to school

“I think the same people might get on a plane and say they will not fasten their seat belts,” he added. “And they may be invited to get off the plane if that is the case.”

Similarly, Herbert said, students without face masks should not return to class and should instead attend online schools or home care during the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor’s strong reaction came during his monthly news conference on PBS Utah. And it follows his office’s confirmation Wednesday that K-12 students and staff who refuse to wear masks – without a legitimate medical exemption – could be charged with a crime under his mandate.

Herbert confirmed Thursday that it would be up to the leaders of the individual schools and charters to fulfill the mandate by seeking potential criminal penalties for the breach. But he strongly urges families to follow his order, calling it ‘common sense’. He added that his grandchildren would return to school when their districts reopen next week, and they will also wear face masks.

“We can certainly minimize the risk and reduce the chances of you catching the virus at school, which we are trying to do,” he said. “One of the best ways, the most effective, cheapest way to do that is for everyone to have a face mask.”

He specifically said that the requirement is to protect teachers, who are more at risk of serious complications from the virus than their students because of their age or health conditions.

“It does not even give us a choice,” St. George’s mother Danielle Cottam told The Salt Lake Tribune this week. “I think I have to choose the right one whether my kids should wear it or not.”

Cottam pulled her five children out of school so she did not have to abide by the regulations. Angie Martin, who has a child in high school in Cache County, added during a legislative meeting: “Our children would not have to have criminal consequences to get an education.”

Washington County School District in the southwest corner of the state had originally opened last week allowing plastic face shields to be used instead of face masks. But after one day, Herbert reiterated his order not to let that happen, saying that these are not as effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. That has created even more resistance from those who saw shields as a compromise.

“With young children, I would think that the facial expressions of the teachers in teaching could be important,” Rep said. Lowry Snow, R-Santa Clara.

Experts, though, including the state’s epidemiologist, have continued to print masks as the best option until there is a vaccine.

Herbert added Thursday: “All we are trying to do is help create a safe environment. … do not do it because the government makes you do it. Do it because it is the right thing to do.”

“I think it’s really critical that our schools open up,” he noted. ‘Even if it does not last, it is important that we start. And I absolutely think it’s important that we try to see if we can actually go back to normal efforts at our school time. ”