Birmingham Schools Will Require Masks After Shift In CDC Recommendations
Lisa Mobley teaches her Kindergarten students phonic sounds at West End Academy's summer literacy camps.
Birmingham City Schools announced Tuesday that it has changed direction and will be requiring students, faculty and everyone else in school facilities to wear masks. The change in policy follows the CDC’s updated recommendations that urge even fully vaccinated people to wear masks indoors if they are in areas with substantial or high risk for COVID. That includes all but a few counties in Alabama.
The CDC’s move also updated its advice for schools to recommend masks for all students, faculty, staff and visitors.
“We follow the science-based recommendations from medical and public health professionals,” said Superintendent Mark Sullivan. “Our goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment for our students and our employees.”
Full-time, in-person classes begin Monday in Birmingham Schools.
Social distancing also is required in Birmingham schools, as it is in most of the school systems in the Birmingham area.
The bigger school systems in the area had not changed mask requirements as of Tuesday evening and still were recommending but not requiring masks in schools.
Schools also are encouraging students and faculty to get the vaccine but are not requiring they do so.
We’ve updated our guidelines for the opening of school. Masks or face coverings will be required for everyone in BCS schools and facilities. pic.twitter.com/0drKgCYSlU
— Birmingham City Schools🎓 (@BhamCitySchools) July 27, 2021
U.S. sends aircraft carrier to South America in major escalation of military firepower
The deployment and the quickening pace of U.S. strikes, including one Friday, raised new speculation about how far the Trump administration may go in operations it says are targeted at drug trafficking.
DOJ hires immigration judges after months of layoffs
Judges will soon take the bench across 16 states, the Justice Department said. These include courts that saw the biggest losses of judges this year.
Pakistan bans hard-line Islamist party known for its fierce anti-blasphemy stance
Pakistan banned a hard-line Islamist party on Thursday, more than a week after heated clashes with police that left at least five people dead.
U.S. imposes sanctions on Colombia’s president and family over drug trade allegations
The sanctions sharply escalate tensions with the leftist leader of a country that has traditionally been one of the closest U.S. allies in South America.
Rosa Parks and Helen Keller statues unveiled at the Alabama Capitol
The monuments honoring the Alabama natives, whose advocacy helped dismantle racial segregation and promoted the rights of people with disabilities, are the first statues of women to be installed on the lawn of the Alabama Capitol.
It’s been a rollercoaster few years for Six Flags. Can Travis Kelce help?
Travis Kelce is teaming up with activist investors in hopes of transforming the embattled theme park operator Six Flags. No word yet on a Taylor Swift-themed rollercoaster.
