Tennessee Pediatricians Support Universal Masking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2021

 Tennessee Pediatricians Stand by Guidelines and Support Universal Masking of ALL in Schools

The Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics stands by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control guidelines that both call for universal masking in schools of all students, teachers, staff, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status. We implore all parents to continue to send their children to school masked. For children who are eligible to be vaccinated, we implore parents to get them vaccinated as well. Studies show that layered protections, including masking, allow children to continue to learn in-person and that, when these guidelines are followed, schools are not a significant source of COVID transmission. A failure to mask all children while indoors puts all children at risk.

The Tennessee Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly disagrees with the actions outlined in Executive Order 84 signed by Governor Bill Lee yesterday. We are seeing more COVID cases and hospitalizations in children than at any other time during this pandemic. It is critically important, now more than ever, that we do all that we can to keep our children safe and healthy, especially children under 12 years of age who are not yet eligible for vaccination. A child’s health should never be political. TNAAP respectfully requests a meeting with Governor Lee to discuss the on-the-ground situation pediatricians face and calls for Governor Lee to reconsider Executive Order 84. We must take all action necessary to ensure the health and well-being of children in Tennessee.

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The Tennessee Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics represents the voice of more than 1,000 Tennessee Pediatricians who are dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information visit www.tnaap.org.