By Cami Parrish | Arizona Republic
The question of whether or not students should be required to wear masks in schools has been one of the chief concerns among parents and community members throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two years later, agreement between policymakers on the issue of mask mandates is still elusive.
Here’s a rundown of where the members of Arizona’s congressional delegation stand on mask mandates in schools:
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.
When asked about her stance on mask mandates in schools, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., said that she has worked to ensure that “schools and parents can work together at the local level to make decisions protecting students’ and teachers’ health, and minimize disruptions for parents.”
“I continue to encourage all Arizonans to get vaccinated and follow best practices to protect themselves and their families,” Sinema said in a written statement. “I’ll keep working closely with Arizonans and my Senate colleagues to provide additional resources to help Arizonans return to normal and thrive.”
Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz.
Marisol Samayoa, a spokesperson for Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said in a written statement to The Arizona Republic that “as the vaccines become available to more and more age groups, Senator Kelly believes that each school district should be working alongside local public health officials to examine the data and determine the appropriate measures to keep students safely in the classroom.”
