What passed in Worcester on masking

 There were several things that passed last night on masks in Worcester schools:

• It was an amended version of the original motion from Member Clancey that passed 5-2 (Mailman and myself opposed), which does not include a date. Thus the optional removal of masks in schools is "in line with the Board of Health," and thus no earlier than March 8, as the Board meets March 7.
  
  
• The motion on amending the policy was sent to administration, but continued for our next meeting on March 3. We do have to have a mask policy, as federal transportation regulations require them on school buses, and state guidance require them in health and nurse centers, and for all returning after five day quarantine. The motion passed with attention called by Member Mailman to the addition of medical parameters, asking the question of what happens if/when cases go back up, and our general notice of what the administration had told us earlier this week is a student vaccination rate of just 19% for two shots. We're collecting phrasing on that, so send it along if you have it.
  
  
• On the recommendation of our student rep Stacia Zoghbi, we also passed a measure directing administration to create clear communication to staff and students regarding no one being required to remove a mask, and calling particular attention to the possibility of bullying surrounding this issue.