Judge upholds mask mandate in Rhode Island schools

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A judge upheld Rhode Island’s school mask mandate on Friday.

A group of Rhode Island parents and grandparents filed a legal challenge in September to Gov. Daniel McKee’s statewide school mask mandate. But the judge found the public interest weighs against granting their petition for a preliminary injunction against the mandate.

Superior Court Associate Justice Jeffrey Lanphear wrote that the court heard credible testimony from multiple plaintiffs that their children were suffering adverse effects from wearing masks, including physical and emotional discomfort and reduced interaction with peers and teachers.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-rhode-island-education-health-9e9d267b9d331f0cdb9a3993a1d604dd