There's a plan in the works to make mask-wearing optional again in Palm Beach County schools, but it could be a while before that happens.
While the school district is one of many facing possible financial sanctions over its restrictive mask mandate from the Florida Board of Education during a meeting Thursday, a district official laid out the metrics under which parents would be given the option as to whether their children cover their faces in class.
Chief of Equity and Wellness Keith Oswald laid out the plan for school board members during Wednesday evening's meeting. Among the metrics, a COVID vaccine must be available to children under 12 years of age and all COVID measurements like positivity and transmission rates must be at moderate levels, as determined by the CDC.
Pfizer on Thursday submitted its emergency use authorization request for its COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11.
Oswald expects to be able to move toward masks-optional in November.