The Lafayette Parish School System has announced that “neck gaiters” will not be allowed as face coverings.
LPSS made the change to the school reopening plan in accordance with CDC guidelines that no longer recommend the use of neck gaiters as a substitute for cloth face coverings.
From LPSS:
LDOE Update Regarding Face Coverings
The LPSS school reopening plan, 20-21 Learn Lafayette was adopted according to Louisiana Department of Education guidance in effect at the time. Late on Thursday, August 22, 2020, the LDOE modified the language regarding face coverings in its most 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.
As a public school system, LPSS is required to adhere to the new guidance regarding the use of neck gaiters as face coverings, and therefore will not allow neck gaiters to be used as face coverings. LPSS will provide a washable cloth face mask to each student and employee. Individuals are encouraged to have additional cloth face coverings available. We apologize for any hardship or inconvenience caused by LDOE’s latest change and updated information.
Source:
https://www.lpssonline.com/site.php?pageID=39&newsID=1649
