CDC tells schools to keep students in masks

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told schools nationwide on Saturday they should plan to keep students in masks because of the limited vaccinations of children.

"CDC recommends schools continue to use the current COVID-19 prevention strategies for the 2020-2021 school year," the agency said in new guidance for students issued just days after it cleared vaccinated adults to ditch their masks in most instances.

"All schools should implement and layer prevention strategies and should prioritize universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing," it added.

The CDC said the guidance also “can inform school planning for the 2021-2022 academic year.”

You can read the new CDC guidance here.

The agency also recommended regular testing in schools to "identify individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination for teachers and staff."

While vaccines are widely available for adults, they have not been distributed for most children. The Biden administration only in the last few days authorized Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines be administered for children as young as 12.