Berrien County’s mask mandate for all K-12 schools is off the books due to language in the state budget, signed Wednesday, that would pull state funding from all local health departments that issue mask mandates for kids due to COVID-19. Gillian Conrad is the spokeswoman for the Health Department and tells our partners at WSBT-22 they had no choice but to rescind the order.
“This is a lose-lose situation and it’s so frustrating that health departments have been put into this position,” says Conrad.
Berrien County Administrator Brian Dissette also spoke to WSBT on the issue and says they need answers from the state.
“What we’re looking for is just clarity on what the state of Michigan wants to see, and right now, we’re not seeing the utmost clarity.”
Conrad adds they are still recommending parents send their kids to school in masks, even without a countywide order. School districts can still issue mask mandates, and those are in place for St. Joseph Public Schools and Benton Harbor Area Schools.
