As K-12 schools are getting ready to get back in session, Health Districts in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties, as well as Youngstown and Warren city Health Districts are all calling for masking in all K-12 schools across the Valley.

The health departments are urging parents to send their children to school wearing masks, especially at schools that are not mandating them in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and reduce risks in children. 

The departments note that a good portion of K-12 students are not eligible to be vaccinated yet and suggest masks as another layer of protection to keep children in school. 

In addition, the departments strongly urge schools to maintain good ventilation and urge all eligible students to get vaccinated if they haven't already and urge all students to continue to practice social distancing and wash their hands and use hand sanitizer regularly.

The departments say that due to the limitations of Senate Bill 22, these are not orders, but strong recommendations made to the governing bodies of each school district.