Survey shows third of Oklahoma schools don’t require masks

Image: KOKH

OKLAHOMA (AP) — Despite warnings from state and federal health officials, a recent survey shows that more than one-third of Oklahoma’s public school districts don’t require staff and students to wear masks.

The informal survey of public schools released on Thursday shows that about 65% of districts require either all or some students or staff to wear masks. More than 35% of districts did not.

Both state and federal public health officials have urged Oklahoma to impose a statewide mask mandate, but Gov. Kevin Stitt has resisted those calls. State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister proposed a mask mandate for schools, but the Board of Education narrowly rejected it.