Rep. John Edar (R-Waterboro) is working to ensure that Maine schools never repeat the dangerous precedent set during the COVID-19 pandemic again, with a bill to prohibit schools from adopting mask mandates.
“While masks were implemented with good intentions to protect the health and safety of our students and staff It’s essential to recognize the negative effects they brought to our educational environments,” said Rep. Edar, presenting his bill.
“One of the most significant challenges masks pose is their impact on communication and social interactions. Masks obstruct clear communication, especially for younger students and those with hearing impairments who rely on lip-reading and facial expressions,” he added.
The proposed legislation, LD 1461, which did not draw any co-sponsors, was considered in the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, with a public hearing held on Wednesday.
During his testimony, Edar focused on the negative impact of masks on the ability of students to learn and socialize, as well as their adverse effect on students’ mental health.
“Many students reported feelings of anxiety, discomfort, and social disconnection because of wearing masks. A survey conducted by the American Psychological Association found that a significant number of students felt isolated, stressed, due to the requirement of wearing masks,” said Edar.
He also cited information showing that 43 percent of students experienced mental health challenges during the pandemic, and the nation saw a significant uptick in depression and teen suicides.
Edar’s testimony highlighted the faulty evidence on the efficacy of masking in actually preventing virus transmission and infection. He argued that the questionable case in favor of masks must be weighed against the well-documented negative impact on learning caused by masks.
“While masks were intended to promote health, excessive focus on these measures can detract from the core mission of education. The emphasis on health protocols, including mask mandates, may shift attention away from essential academic goals and support systems of students recovering from disruptions caused by the pandemic,” said Edar.
The bill prohibits a school board from implementing or enforcing any requirements for students to wear face masks. Edar clarified that his draft legislation would not impact any mandates handed down by the state and would simply bar school boards from implementing their own local mandates.
Students and teachers who choose to wear masks will be permitted to continue doing so.
The Maine Department of Education (MDOE) is tasked with enforcing the law and will have discretion over penalties for violations. The bill specifies that the withholding of state education funds may be used as a penalty by the MDOE.
No one appeared to testify on the bill in person, but it did draw multiple written testimonies.
Multiple education groups, including the Maine Principals Association (MPA), submitted testimony against the bill.
“Local School Boards–elected by their communities–have long held the authorities to make decisions that best serve the health and safety needs of their students and staff. Stripping them of the ability to respond to evolving health circumstances no only erodes that local authority, but also removes a critical tool that may be necessary in the event of future public health emergencies,” said the MPA.
Notably, none of the educational groups opposing the bill addressed Edar’s concerns about the negative effects of masks or the questionable evidence of their efficacy.
Only Harris Van Pate of the Maine Policy Institute submitted testimony in favor of the bill.
“LD 1461 aligns with the principles of individual liberty, personal responsibility, and transparent governance by ensuring that school boards do not infringe on the fundamental rights of students, parents, and staff, and by not mandating the use of face masks within individual educational environments,” said Van Pate.
“Allowing school boards the authority to mandate masks normalizes the idea that temporary public health concerns can justify permanent erosion of personal freedom. We must guard against the expansion of government control into deeply personal areas of life, especially in matters of bodily autonomy and parental authority,” he added
The bill appears unlikely to pass through the Democrat-controlled legislature, especially given that it garnered no co-sponsors from either party.
Disclosure: The Maine Wire is a project of the Maine Policy Institute
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="38651 https://www.themainewire.com/?p=38651">7 Comments
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You have misspelled John Eder’s name.
The masking nonsense was a symbolic gesture of the deep state to take away your voice and virtue signal what a good little marxist follower you were during the covid lockdowns. Just another distraction to keep folks fearful and fighting among themselves, gaslighting,
shame and blame, finger pointing. Fear is the opposite of faith and the dark cult is counting on you, the people, having little faith. You are easier to control. That is how lucifer works.
“Fear not ,and do not conform to this world said the lord”
The ONLY thing you should fear , is GOD!
” a bill to prohibit schools from adopting mask mandates.” You don’t need anymore laws/mandates, you need Leadership and Courage.
This is cause and effect legislation to show the constituents their ” representatives” are doing something
Hey representatives quit make work legislation. Lead follow or get out of the way.
Agreed! We must and will not comply.
Pretty sure it’s spelled Eder not Edar