Parents in Gwinnett county sue the Gwinnett school district over public schools’ mask mandate

Parents in Gwinnett County have sued the Gwinnett school district seeking an injunction on the mask mandate imposed on all public schools in the district. The lawsuit filed on Monday also implicates Superintendent Calvin Watts over his role in the mask matter.

Four parents, Justin and Meghann Verrier, Margaret Rudnick, and Holly Terei through their lawyer Mitch Skandalakis argue that the mask mandate violates an executive order issued by Gov. Brian Kemp. This is in reference to an executive order issued in May, that prohibited schools from using the COVID-19 emergency declaration as a basis for mask mandate.

The lawsuit also points at the effects of masks on students as a reason to drop the mandate. It cites a study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology that showed some negative effects on doctors who used masks throughout the day. The study states that doctors wearing the N95 masks for longer periods may experience headaches, impaired cognition, and rashes among other effects.

Gwinnett school district issued a mask mandate in July when the COVID-19 virus was at its peak with more deaths caused by the delta variant. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had recommended universal masking at the time. Although a lot has changed since then, the district still holds the mask mandate and does not intend to drop if their response is anything to go by.

According to the school district’s spokeswoman Sloan Roach, the district will defend its actions since it has an obligation to guarantee the safety of learners.

“The school district will defend its authority and obligation to follow public health guidance to protect our students and staff,” Sloan said

Gwinnett school district is home to over 180, 000 students and is the largest in Georgia. Parents in the district started protesting the use of masks in school in spring. Protests escalated, even leading to a delay in a board of education meeting.

The new lawsuit now awakens a debate in the county about political affiliations and human rights. The plaintiff has argued that the mask mandate violates the free speech constitutional right, a line of thought that resonates with many in the county.

“The School District intends the Mask Mandate to coercively convey an affiliation with a particular political party,” the suit says.