93.9 The Eagle – The News and Talk of Columbia, MO
Missouri’s governor is critical of Columbia Public Schools (CPS) for its mask mandate.
During a live appearance on the Eagle’s “Wake Up Columbia,” Governor Mike Parson (R) told listeners that he will be watching closely to see what happens with the attorney general’s lawsuit against CPS and the Columbia school board.
“Why in the world we don’t trust the parents to do what’s right for their kids is still a little frustrating for me. I don’t even think we’ve went down that road yet,” Parson says.
The governor is not surprised by Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s (R) lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools (CPS) and the school board, over the district’s mask mandate.
“I think when you start pushing the envelope this is what happens, I think it’s what happened last year with (County Executive) Sam Page up in St. Louis County. People start pushing the issue here a little bit and too much, and then legislative action comes in and so be it,” says Parson.
Schmitt’s 31-page lawsuit says masks “fail to provide adequate protection and offer a false sense of security.” The lawsuit says children are at an extremely low risk of severe illness and death from COVID, and that children are at a low risk for spreading it. He cites data from state health officials.
CPS has released a statement that criticizes Schmitt’s lawsuit. CPS says the health and safety of Missouri’s youngest citizens should be the top priority for the state’s elected leaders. The district also says wearing a mask indoors is one mitigation strategy that will provide an additional layer of protection to keep all students and staff safe and in school.
