The Reopening Rapides Plan was adopted according to Louisiana Department of Education guidance in effect at the time which required face coverings for students in 3rd -12th grade. Late on Thursday, the LDOE guidance was modified in the most recent Frequently Asked Question document to say the following:
Q: Are “neck gaiters” an acceptable form of facial covering?
A: CDC recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Cloth face coverings are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the cloth face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice. This is called source control. It is not known if neck gaiters provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles. CDC does not recommend use of neck gaiters as a substitute for cloth face coverings. Neck gaiters should only be used until an appropriate face covering can be secured.
RPSB is required to adhere to the new guidance, we also understand that some students may have already purchased and are using neck gaiters as their face coverings at school. RPSB will allow a grace period for students to transition from neck gaiters to cloth masks. We regret any hardship caused by this latest release by LDOE and will work with students and families to make this transition where necessary.