by Terri Wu
Masking in school has become a heated issue across Virginia since Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order on his first day in office, making the masks optional. Subsequently, all Virginia school boards must decide before Mondayâwhen the effective order takes effectâto follow or disregard the order.
Frederick County, the northernmost point of Virginia, has divided neighbors. All school districts in northern Virginia have decided to keep the mask mandate. However, nearby Spotsylvania and Culpeper school systems have made masks optional.
The issue is even more emotional for many Frederick County residents because of a U-turn in August. On Aug. 10, the board voted 4â3 to lift the mask mandate. However, two days later, former Gov. Ralph Northam announced a public health emergency order that required masks in school settings, and the school board followed it…