Another wave of school mask mandates will begin Monday morning for a trio of eastern Iowa schools, after a judge blocked a mandate ban passed by state Republicans and signed into law by Governor Reynolds before the Delta Variant of COVID-19 caused a new surge of cases, especially among children and young adults. Several districts, including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Des Moines have already reinstated mask mandates. But for Linn-Mar, Cedar Falls and Waterloo Schools, the mandate does not apply to all students.

LINN-MAR SCHOOL DISTRICT

In Marion, the Linn-Mar School Board last week voted to order a mask mandate for all students and teachers in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 6th. The reasoning was that these are the children, under the age of 12, that cannot get a vaccine if they and their parents choose. The district decided to keep the mandate in place until 60 days after the vaccine becomes available for children between 5 and 11, giving them time to complete the shots and let immunity take effect before ending the mandate.

CEDAR FALLS & WATERLOO SCHOOLS

The two largest school districts in Black Hawk County coordinated with one another to come up with a strategy for both. Beginning Monday morning, Preschool and Elementary students and staff at Cedar Falls and Waterloo Schools will be required to wear a mask indoors. The mandate last for just one week but could be extended. District leaders will examine more data before determining what their next steps will be.