Hudson Urges Optional Masking for Cumberland County Schools to Proceed

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) is urging the Cumberland County Health Department to revise an order and allow optional masks for county schools. On Tuesday, the Cumberland County Board of Education voted to make masks optional for students. However, the decision is being blocked by an abatement order issued by the Cumberland County Health Department in Aug. 2021 mandating masks indoors.

In a letter today to the Cumberland County Health Director, Rep. Hudson urged the Department to revise the order.

"In addition to following the well-established science, I would further urge you to follow the parents," wrote Rep. Hudson. "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."

On Tuesday, Rep. Hudson spoke on the U.S. House Floor and urged support for the Unmask Our Kids Act, legislation Rep. Hudson sponsored to support optional masking in schools. Read Rep. Hudson's letter to the Cumberland County Health Department here.

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