The Daily Back to School Amid the Delta Variant
Aug 9, 2021
Richard Fausset, a New York Times correspondent focusing on the American South, discusses the challenging return to in-person classes amid the Delta variant surge. He delves into Arkansas's conflicting regulations on mask mandates, where state bans clash with school safety needs. Fausset highlights how governors navigate this political tug-of-war, while educators worry about health risks. He also addresses the misinformation surrounding vaccines and masks, capturing the emotional experiences of families grappling with these issues.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Back to School Challenges
- Last year, school policies varied widely, with many students staying home.
- This year, there's a consensus that in-person learning is crucial, but the Delta variant poses a new challenge.
Mask Mandate Conflicts
- Many areas, like New York City and Illinois, will require masks in schools due to the Delta variant's high transmissibility.
- However, several southern states, including South Carolina and Texas, have banned mask mandates.
Arkansas' Mask Mandate Ban
- Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, initially handled the pandemic well, implementing and later lifting a mask mandate.
- However, facing pressure from a conservative legislature, he signed a law banning mask mandates.