To mask or not to mask at school

The latest surge in COVID-19 cases is easing across Illinois and other parts of the Midwest, but the arguments around wearing masks to curb the spread of the virus rage on.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Feb. 9 the state’s indoor mask mandate in most public places will be lifted at the end of the month, but will remain in place for schools for the time being.

Some school districts across the state have taken the matter into their own hands, filing a lawsuit saying local boards of education should have the say on whether to require kids and staff to mask while at school. A judge in c...