DETROIT – Local health leaders said it’s possible that counties could mandate their own mask policies if there is a wave of COVID when the 2021-22 school year starts.
Currently, Michigan is allowing individual school districts and county health departments to make their own policies.
More: Tracking Michigan school districts, colleges requiring masks for 2021-2022 school year
Oakland County executive Dave Coulter said it would be more clear if one decision on masks and schools came from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“I think it is helpful, then you don’t have 83 patchwork orders,” Coulter said. “It is best to have a uniform policy across the state.”
More: Dr. Joneigh Khaldun: Optional school mask policies not consistent with CDC recommendations
The Washtenaw County Health Department is strongly recommending masks in classrooms. Many districts are following that guidance, but officials said there isn’t a mask mandate because there is no current “crisis in transmission with young people.”
Susan Ringler-Cerniglia, with the Washtenaw County Health Department, said if COVID cases shoot up, the department can mandate masks.
“The state legal authorities at the state level is the same for the county level,” Ringler-Cerniglia said. “That is the Michigan health code. That’s an option and should not be necessary at this point.”
More: Michigan COVID news