Although the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned Gov. Evers statewide mask mandate, face coverings are still required at many stores, like Aldi, Pick 'n Save and Kohl’s.
One place they’re not required though – several local public schools.
Laona, Three Lakes and Crandon school districts all stopped requiring masks following the state Supreme Court ruling.
Now wearing a face covering in their classrooms is optional.
In a statement released Thursday, Three Lakes School District said the decision to not mandate masks in school was one of a number of difficult decisions it had to make this year.
“We are working through these complex issues as a district, and our greatest desire is to have a healthy and happy Bluejay family as we transition toward a more normal school year in Fall 2021," the statement said.
However, state health officials say Wisconsin isn’t ready to return to normal yet.
As variants of COVID-19 spread, the state is seeing a rise in positive cases, particularly among people younger than 18 years old.
“I think the idea that because the mask mandate has been taken away that we should stop masking people in our community, our businesses, or particularly our schools to not wear masks or to not encourage it would be a grave mistake,” Dr. Ryan Westergaard. the Chief Medical Officer with the DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases, said.
He said while young people are unlikely to suffer severe complications from COVID, they can still spread the virus to others.
That’s why, he said, continuing to mask is crucial until more of the population is fully vaccinated.