WASHINGTON, D.C. – Mask mandates ended in Cumberland County schools today, as the county health director announced an order requiring masks in public indoor spaces will also end Sunday. This action follows a direct appeal by U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC), who urged the director to allow optional masking in schools.
In a letter on Friday, Rep. Hudson wrote, "Our local Cumberland County Board of Education made the decision to make masks optional based on both the existing science and their current roles as parents, educators, and local leaders. I respectfully urge you to follow their lead, and revise the August 2021 abatement order, in light of both the recent evidence and respected parental input."
Following today's decision, Rep. Hudson stated, "Parents should be able to decide what’s best for their kids. After the state passed a law and the school board voted to make masks optional, I demanded the health department stop standing in the way. I am glad the county has made this overdue decision, and I will keep fighting to end these mandates across our state and country."
In addition to urging optional masking in schools, Rep. Hudson cosponsored the Unmask Our Kids Act. Last week, Rep. Hudson spoke on the U.S. House Floor and urged support for legislation to support optional masking in schools.
The Cumberland County health director said Tuesday that she plans to rescind an order that requires masks in public indoor spaces.
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Rescinding the order will effectively end a showdown between the county and the Board of Education, which voted 5-4 last week to make masks optional in school buildings. That policy went into effect Wednesday.
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U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson sent Green a letter on Feb. 11 about the abatement order. In the letter on congressional letterhead, which his office released, Hudson said he wanted to "respectfully urge" Green to rescind the order.
Hudson said in a statement that parents should decide what's best for their kids.
“After the state passed a law and the school board voted to make masks optional, I demanded the health department stop standing in the way," he said. "I am glad the county has made this overdue decision, and I will keep fighting to end these mandates across our state and country.”
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) – The weight of the pandemic is on the shoulders of Dr. Jennifer Green. The Cumberland County health director announced Wednesday she will rescind her mask order.
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This decision came as students returned to class Wednesday and were no longer required to wear a mask.
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There were concerns the school district’s policy would violate the county’s order. Because of that U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson (R)urged Green to revise her order.