Many continue to follow public health recommendations, though the protocols may vary by business. "Our tracking of COVID-19 cases on our campuses since the new school year began shows that the mask requirement that went into effect August 20 has been a successful part of our layered mitigation strategies to reduce virus transmission at our schools, keep students learning in person. I plan on dropping a termination date, at this time, and continuing with the periodic review of the mandated mask requirement with the County and the State, Lane said in a statement. Amandatory mask mandate issued by Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane in June will remain in place indefinitely pending further review by the mayors office. or anything. In a blistering opinion Monday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper voided the ban on mask and vaccine mandates along with a number of other measures Republicans had tacked onto the state budget bill with no hearings in the waning days of the session. Quarantine requirements for close contacts are set by the Maricopa County Public Health Department. Though Gov. Be Truthful. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Whats Open? According to Todays News-Herald Havasu News, Cobb and the rest of that districts delegation had lobbied Lake Havasu officials to lift their mask requirement as early as last September, although it is unclear if they had also joined parents pressing the school board to lifting its mandate, which expired at the end of the school year. Chaplik went on to tell colleagues to look at whats happening elsewhere to disprove the claims that masks help prevent the spread of the virus. They feel like a promise has been broken.. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Never miss an issue. Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said the main reason restrictions were imposed was to avoid overwhelming the states health care system with COVID-19 patients. In addition to the mandate ban, Cooper also voided a host of other laws approved by the Legislature that ranged from requirements for anti-fraud measures for ballots and prohibitions against cities and town from requiring face coverings or imposing curfews to banning proof of vaccination to attend universities or community colleges and limits on teaching what lawmakers have incorrectly referred to as "critical race theory.''. ], https://twitter.com/MichelleUgenti/status/1418748330964779012. If you are in need of a COVID-19 test while in Scottsdale, most pharmacies and grocery stores offer free testing; the Arizona Department of Health Services maintains a list of such sites. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Protester and Scottsdale Unified parent Sara Solem said that her 8-year-old child was in tears when the family learned that the district was considering reinstating a mask mandate. Put distance between yourself and other people, at least 6 feet. Earlier this month, the Arizona legislature banned mask mandates within its K-12 budget. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another High 61F. Scottsdale Unified officials cited the ruling in announcing that "SUSD will continue to require masks for students and staff while indoors on our campuses and other district facilities until at least two weeks" after fall break, which runs Oct. 11-15. Cobb and her two district colleagues had joined the Mohave County Board of Supervisors in sending a letter to the governor in May of last year that demanded he lift restrictions on businesses. Should the judges ruling be overturned on appeal, SUSD will follow the law.". for your purchases. Mask mandates are a textbook example of the government ensuring one of its fundamental purposes, which is guarding the public health and safety, Rodriguez said. Rain. Last week, the district sent home 150 symptomatic students. From campus-style resorts to a lush Sonoran Desert landscape thats ripe for exploration, Scottsdale is the ideal choice if youre looking for a getaway that allows you room to roam. It didn't see numbers like that last year, when students were required to wear masks, Menzel said, although he admitted that the more contagious delta variant played a factor in the spread. "It's the duty and authority of only the legislative branch to organize itself and make laws,'' he continued. Chance of rain 100%. He said the same is true in places like Mississippi and Georgia. When considering only those age 18 and older, that number in Arizona rose to 62.2 percent, according to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Violations of the county order carry a $50 fine. Scottsdale Area Pets Who Need A Home: Meet Gumdrop, George, Lotus & More, Scottsdale Jobs: See Who's Hiring In The Area, Shop The Scottsdale Farmers Market Like A Pro, Info Here. In Scottsdale, new cases per 100,000 residents and positive new test results were up recently in three of the citys 10 ZIP codes, according to Maricopa County. That's almost 10 percent of the district's student population. person will not be tolerated. The mask debate is picking up again, this time in Scottsdale. Keep it Clean. While both the Maricopa County and Scottsdale mandates require individuals to wear masks in most public spaces, the orders differ in enforcement. SCOTTSDALE, AZ Scottsdale Unified School District joined others in the state in continuing with its mask mandate, in spite of Gov. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Nothing prevents parents from making their own child wear a mask in school. Maricopa County supervisors adopted a similar mandate countywide the next day. He also rapped Ducey for approving the measure. Embry Health and Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health also provide free testing. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Mask mandate was rarely enforced in Scottsdale, By Wayne Schutsky, Progress Managing Editor. Scottsdale became one of the first cities in the state to act on that authority At least one other lawmaker took notice. We will continue to exercise caution. Weve passed all of this into law, and it will not change. Monday was the district's ninth day of school this year. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Police Search For Murder Suspect + Students Ill, Pesticide Contact, Local Dive With 'Killer Pizza' + Ukraine Refugees Reflect On Move, Tesla Crashes & Catches Fire Twice In Scottsdale + New Memorial, Social Security Seminar on March 8th and 9th at Eagles Community Center. Rates are lower for other cities that feed into SUSD, including Tempe, where 48.7 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated slightly higher than Phoenixs 45.4 percent, according to data released last week by the county. Watch a non-stop stream of breaking news, live events and stories across the nation. California's indoor mask mandate is set to expire Feb. 15, Gov. Rep. Joanne Osborne, R-Goodyear, who owns the jewelry store with the family name, told colleagues this is a difficult decision. You have permission to edit this article. Several parents attempted to share their feelings about the mask mandate during the public comment portion of a public hearing that the school board held prior to the discussion and vote on the mask requirement. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. that is degrading to another person. racist or sexually-oriented language. Solem trusted that the district would follow through on what she said were multiple promises it made over the summer to ensure that masks would be optional. Keep it Clean. Keep it Clean. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Charity Miller, who lives in Scottsdale, but whose children don't attend district schools, said that she took part in the protest Tuesday night because she thinks that wearing masks is dangerous for all children, not just her own. accounts, the history behind an article. "We had certainly hoped to be in a different position with the pandemic by this point in time, but our community continues to struggle with it. Court ruling helps keep Scottsdale mask mandate in place. Those lawmakers included Sens. The CDC on Friday said it had studied case data from July and August from school districts in Pima and Maricopa counties and found, the odds of a school-associated COVID-19 outbreak were 3.5 times higher in schools with no mask requirement than in those with a mask requirement implemented at the time school started.. PHOENIX (CN) An Arizona House committee voted Wednesday to advance legislation that would ban school districts from imposing mask mandates on children amid similar actions across the country and a declining number of Covid-19 cases. Roberts said hes heard a figure that something like 90% of the state is covered by some local mask mandate. Recommended Face Coverings Maricopa County is expected to vote on whether to extend their mandate on Oct. 7. Until we have suppressed community spread by vaccinating more individuals, including children under 12, universal masking will continue to be a critical tool in limiting the spread of the virus in our schools.. Independent Living for Seniors: Estrella Estates NEW LISTING! Scottsdale Unified School District is keeping its mask mandate in effect for now after a Mar. We'd love to hear eyewitness Share with Us. Will Humble, executive director for the Arizona Public Health Association, said he doesnt believe the rescinded mandate will be the driving force behind case increases because the mandates were ignored by many and had little enforcement. These States Have COVID-19 Mask MandatesAlabama. Gov. Alaska. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services encouraged mask wearing anytime social distancing is challenging, but no official mandate at the state level has been in place.American Samoa. Effective Feb. Arizona. On Nov. Arkansas. California. Colorado. Connecticut. Delaware. District of Columbia. More items If these individuals continue to refuse to comply with the mask mandate, they can be cited. "Unfortunately, today's decision is the result of a rogue judge interfering with the authority and processes of another branch of government.''. Scottsdale made the decision with the decline of infection and hospitalization rates in the county. What is clear and Cooper could void is has been practice of lawmakers to pile various issues into various end-of-session "reconciliation'' bills for years. The Arizona Department of Health Services said 49.6 percent of all eligible Arizonans had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Be Truthful. Concerned parents asked SUSD about the screening description. TUCSON, AZ Face masks will no longer be required in public places in Pima County, after Feb. 28. Share with Us. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. The news is welcomed The largest spike was in 85259, which had 82 new cases per 100,000 from March 21 to March 27, up from 43 the week prior. But he said Ducey should have left the mandates in place for another six to eight weeks, at least until a larger percentage of young people are vaccinated because they are transmitting it to others who are dying.. Scottsdale was one of the first cities in the state to adopt a mandate in June after Governor Doug Ducey issued an order allowing them to put their own mask Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. person will not be tolerated. "We were really disappointed by this decision. Round-the-clock cleaning and sanitation protocols and social distancing markers are just a few of the steps our airports are taking to keep travelers safe. racist or sexually-oriented language. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Be Nice. "Extending the mask requirement until after Fall Break affords the opportunity to see what impact that time away from school has on school cases and to make appropriate decisions based on the facts at that time. accounts, the history behind an article. International travelers can use the CDC Travel Assessmentto prepare for travel. Duceys executive order did not impact schools. Scottsdale is not the only area district where there is a mask mandate to keep it. Don't Threaten. Hoffman within hours released a statement that said: New data from Arizona schools shows what public health experts have been telling our Governorfor months: universal masking keeps students learning inperson. Her argument has the support of state Superintendent of Public Schools Kathy Hoffman, who on Friday cited a new Centers for Disease Control study that showed the efficacy of masks in curbing COVID-19 infections in schools. Use the 'Report' link on In the wake of the decision, crowds have flooded back to Old Town Scottsdale, where social media posts show maskless throngs of young people have filled many clubs in the area to pre-pandemic levels. Low near 40F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Her older two children wore masks while attending district schools last year, and they don't want to go back, she said. Don't Threaten. Share with Us. A first-term Scottsdale legislator convinced colleagues last week to let businesses ignore mask mandates to stem the spread of COVID by arguing that they Anyone who is in favor of in-person school should support masking, she said, and most people agree that in-person schooling is best for students. Ditto, Desai said, of provisions she is challenging that were tucked into various measures, like one that bars colleges and universities from imposing vaccine requirements as a condition to attend classes, prohibits the establishment of a "vaccine passport,'' and bars the teaching of anything in public schools "that presents any form of blame or judgment on the basis of race, ethnicity or sex.''. racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Sign up for free today. The Legislatures approval of the ban on mandates was split along party lines and drew support from no Democratic representative or senator, including the all-Democrat LD 24 delegation made up of Sen. Lela Alston and Reps. Amish Shah and Jennifer Longdon, who represent southern Scottsdale. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Other Valley municipalities like Gilbert have since allowed their mandates to lapse in favor of a countywide mask mandate issued by Maricopa County in June. SUSD will be complying with this federal requirement. However, Superintendent Dr. Scott Menzel sent a letter to parents on May 14 notifying There hasnt been any enforcement to speak of so when it comes to bars, restaurants and nightclubsI dont think there is going to be an explosive impact, he said. This latest announcement comes on the heels of another controversial act undertaken by SUSD. If they do mandate masks, we will be pulling our children out of SUSD, Santiago said before the meeting. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Share with Us. He said his team recently identified a new variant with mutations that have shown to reduce antibody response in lab tests, though researchers still dont know how those lab tests translate into real-world scenarios. The Scottsdale Unified School Board voted 4-1 to implement a mask mandate for its 28 school campuses and district facilities after a more than three-hour Stay up to date on the latest in Arizona by signing up to get FREE news delivered to your inbox. All Inclusive! See my statement on the updated CDC guidance: https://t.co/YubNffZpq5 Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 27, 2021 While we have seen encouraging progress, and more and more people have received the vaccine, COVID remains a concern. SUSD is prohibited by Arizona law (A.R.S. "SUSD has been committed to taking steps to provide in-person learning opportunities while working to mitigate potential spread of COVID-19 on our campuses. that is degrading to another person. 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