Virginia American Academy of Pediatrics Mask Statement

The VA AAP issued the following statement about masking:

Virginia Pediatricians strongly recommend children continue to wear masks in school while rates of COVID-19 infection remain high. The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (VA-AAP) strongly recommends that school aged children, regardless of vaccination status, wear a well-fitting face mask while attending school. Any successful comprehensive plan to protect children against the Omicron variant and other future variants of COVID-19 includes being up to date on COVID-19 vaccination and consistent wearing of face masks during times of infection surge.

Face masks remain safe and reliable, and children have demonstrated their ability to wear them effectively. In addition to protecting a child, face mask use significantly reduces the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections, thus keeping schools operational and ensuring children do not miss in person school.