During yesterday’s Cumberland County Board of Education meeting, members briefly discussed the mask coverings worn by students. Board member Rebecca Hamby told members she spoke with several parents and students  who wanted the masks done away with.

The issue was placed on the agenda as an update to a decision the board made in the summer.

The motion passed back in July of this year states students, school employees and teachers will only wear face coverings when social distancing cannot be maintained or situation discretion is appropriate. If a student has a medical condition, such as breathing problems, they would be exempt from wearing it.

After a few minutes of debate last night, a motion was made and passed to move on without any action to change the facial covering situation.

As of yesterday (Thursday, September 25, 2020), 18 fatalities are recorded in Cumberland County from COVID-19 or complications of the coronavirus. The deaths so far range in age from 48 to elderly.

As far as active cases are concerned, Cumberland County as of yesterday is at 104 active (which is down 11 cases from the day before). The county has seen so far 1,175 total cases and roughly one-third of citizens (21,354) tested for COVID-19.

The Tennessee Department of Health reported yesterday from ages 0-20, 6 died so far and nearly 34,000 cases registered since the pandemic started.

The virus has also killed school age children in the nation. In one case, a 16-year-old female in Georgia lost her life to it this summer with no pre-existing conditions.