MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA, Ala. — Teachers across North Alabama are gearing up to go back-to-school. Parents, students and school administrators are tasked with keeping each other safe while also maintaining a positive learning environment.
Many North Alabama school districts, like Madison County Schools, are starting the upcoming school year without a mask mandate, leaving the decision up to individuals.
One Madison County Teacher says he won't be wearing a mask while he teaches at the front of the classroom.
"It is very difficult to teach, to lecture with a mask on because of the breaths that you have to take and all of that," said Monrovia Middle School Science Teacher Michael Massey. "So personally, I won't be."
Massey also said that he would consider changing his decision if cases begin to increase.
On August 2, the Alabama Department of Public Health updated its back-to-school guidance, recommending universal masking in schools - even for vaccinated individuals. This recommendation comes as the highly contagious Delta variant continues to spread throughout the state and nation.
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