Federal Judge: Colorado parents can’t exempt kids from school masks

Judge: Colorado parents can't exempt kids from school masks DENVER (AP) — A federal judge has issued a restraining order against a suburban Denver county's policy allowing parents to opt their children out of a mask mandate at school, finding that the rule violates the rights of students with disabilities who are vulnerable to COVID-19. AP NEWS

...  U.S. District Judge John L. Kane on Tuesday called the Douglas County Board of Health order that allowed parents to opt their children out of mask-wearing a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which guarantees equal access to education for all. ...

Kane’s order is not the end of the legal challenge even though it sets aside the opt-out rule for now and he set a Nov. 8 hearing about the case.

The ruling came as states prepare for rollouts of the COVID-19 pediatric vaccines. Colorado’s health department has said it is working on an informational campaign with public health agencies, youth-focused groups and school districts for parents and guardians. ...