To the editor:
Editor’s note: www.mayoclinic.org (Jan. 15) states that “Face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as getting vaccinated, frequent hand-washing and physical distancing, can help slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics website, healthchildren.org has “mask mythbusters” information for parents.
We are going into year three with a mask mandate in our schools. I have always believed that mandates are unconstitutional, because a mandate is not a law. It is now clear that masks and vaccines do not stop the spread of COVID-19. People who wear masks (and who are vaccinated and boosted) can still get, transmit, and die from COVID.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky initially pledged, “vaccinated people do not carry the virus. They don’t get sick.” President Biden committed, “I’m going to shut down the virus…you’re not getting COVID if you have the vaccination and this is a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”
Dr. Walensky has since changed her tune; now she states that what the vaccines “can’t do anymore is, prevent transmission.” President Biden now says, “look there is no federal solution…I am going to move forward with vaccine requirements wherever I can.”
Is it logical or rational when the quarantine time fluctuates without explanation?
Vaccinated COVID-positive employees can now return to work and attend entertainment venues, but unvaccinated COVID-negative individuals (many of whom are COVID-recovered) cannot partake in society, keep their jobs, or enter business establishments?
It is no longer about health and safety. It’s about compliance.
Lynnfield citizens have had enough. We are frustrated and tired of being manipulated and misled. Our children’s and grandchildren’s mental health has been beyond compromised. They have endured enough, and it is not right that they are being forced to shoulder this burden for the sake of adult anxiety any longer.
Many of these children and student athletes have a mask on for 10 to 11 hours a day. As a result of unconstitutional mandates, they have missed school, proms, graduations, field trips, and traditional celebratory events.
Young children who are developing speech and communication skills have been denied facial expressions and intimate play with peers for two years.
They have missed, and continue to miss, all of these milestones and crucial aspects of development because of highly-politicized lockdowns and mandates.
The social damage caused to our children is going to last for years. Most parents can now see that the mask mandate is not based in science or public safety, but instead on a political agenda.
The CDC recently posted on its website that cloth masks do not stop smoke particles. When COVID virus particles enter the atmosphere they are smaller than a smoke particle.
Knowing this, why are we continuing the theater of having children continue to wear these ineffectual masks? Why are we covering up their beautiful faces, smiles, and expressions? Why are we inhibiting reading and phonics skills?
We are coercing children to comply with something nonsensical and inconsistent. Are these children now going to be forced to have their comfort and breathing restricted further with N95 masks? Are we going to continue to obey instructions from institutions who’ve been wrong at every turn?
It has been scientifically established that children are the least at-risk population in terms of harm from this virus. Two weeks to “slow the spread” was about 100 weeks ago. It’s not okay anymore. This is child abuse. Many people agree with me, but are too fearful to speak up. Why is that?
I wonder if the School Committee members, Select Board, and Superintendent of Schools Kristen Vogel wear a mask 10 to 11 hours a day. I wonder when they were preschoolers and kindergarteners, if they did. Or was that vulnerable window in their development honored and protected?
I wonder if they are wearing masks 24/7 in their offices, or just pulling it up for show when a parent enters the building. When they take their masks off for a picture, or in a restaurant, do they actually believe the virus arrests itself as they are taking a bite?
Do they actually believe the virus knows the difference between five and a half feet and six feet? Apparently, the virus is so smart that it knows not to infect at a Patriots game.
How long are our town’s elected leaders and paid staff going to support this illogical and harmful narrative? How much longer are they going to subject our children to their hypocrisy?
How many more months or years are they going to allow this unconstitutional mask mandate to go on? How long are they going to continue to abuse children? You don’t need to be a doctor to see through this insanity. All you need to have is common sense.
I believe we can all agree that we want what is best for our children. Parents also need School Committee members, Select Board members, and a superintendent who listen to and respect parents and children.
I am asking School Committee members, the superintendent, and Select Board members to stand up for our children’s actual health and safety, or to step down — step down and be replaced by those who will stand up for our children and fight against unconstitutional mandates.
Lynnfielders want transparency. We want a superintendent who prioritizes children’s rights, truth, and logic, regardless of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) opinion. We cannot afford a School Committee, superintendent, or Select Board that accepts funding at the cost of our children’s rights, guaranteed to them by the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights.
If they won’t lift the school-mask mandate, then these boards must be accountable and explain to the electorate why it remains in place. If the reason is because they accepted funding, then state as much!
These elected officials must have the integrity and morality to step up and save our children….my grandchildren.
Frank T. Smith
Lynnfield
