Judge Blocks the Governor's Ban on Mask Mandates

A judge has blocked Governor DeSantis' ban on mask mandates.

Circuit Judge John Cooper judge said that while parents do have the right to make their own healthcare decisions for their children, they cannot do so if these put other children at risk.

The judge ruled that Governor Ron DeSantis and the Board of Education's orders on mask mandates are "without legal authority."

What does it mean for a mask mandate in St. Johns County schools? 

The ruling is likely to be appealed, but in the August 10th, 2021 St. Johns County School Board Meeting attorney Frank Upchurch said. "My sense is that these questions will end up in the courts sooner rather than later, and that there will be a decision. If the governor's order and the rules predicated on the governor's order were invalidated, the legal premise of this discussion would be different, and certainly we could revisit it."

In the same meeting, Superintendent Tim Forson said, "hopefully we've learned since the beginning of this. I dare not say that's it, that's the way it is, that's the way it will be forever. Things change. We have to be fluid enough and responsive enough if the time comes to adjust to the needs to our children and our staff and our employees."

Covid-19 Numbers in our Schools:

As of August 27th, 2021, there are 32 students currently out of school due to positive Covid-19 tests, and 84 students are quarantined at St. Augustine High School.

At Murray Middle School 16 students had tested positive for Covid-19, and 87 students are in quarantine.

At The Webster School 2 teachers have tested positive and 3 teachers are under quarantine as of the August 27th daily update. Four students have tested positive, and 21 students have been quarantined.

At Osceola Elementary 3 teachers have tested positive, and 1 teacher is out on quarantine, while 10 students have tested positive and 34 students are out on quarantine.

Check out the St. Johns County Schools Covid-19 Dashboard here, to see the number of Covid-19 cases and quarantines on your child's school.

You can find more Covid-19 news in St. Johns County here.

If you need a Covid-19 vaccine, it is easy, free and quick to get at CVS. Learn more about how to get your COVID vaccination at CVS here.