MASKS , from Page 1 parochial preschool programs and elementary and secondary schools , including charter and renaissance schools ( collectively ‘ school districts ’), must maintain a policy regarding mandatory use of face masks by staff , students and visitors in the indoor portion of the school district premises ,” the order reads .
The executive order , which went
One Sindoni Lane , Suite C , Hammonton ( 609 ) 270-7886 • www . meadowsbridalshop . com
into effect on August 9 , allows for the following exceptions :
When doing so would inhibit the individual ’ s health , such as when the individual is exposed to extreme heat indoors ;
When the individual has trouble breathing , is unconscious , incapacitated , or otherwise unable to remove a face mask without assistance ; When a student ’ s documented
Now carrying Blush by Hayley Paige and Maggie Sottero
We carry gorgeous dresses by : Hayley Paige , Maggie Sottero Casablanca , Mori Lee , and so much more !
medical condition or disability , as reflected in an Individualized Education Program ( IEP ) or Educational Plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 , precludes use of a face mask ;
When the individual is under 2 years of age ;
When the individual is engaged in activity that cannot physically be performed while wearing a mask , such as eating or drinking , or playing a musical instrument that would be obstructed by a face mask ;
When the individual is engaged in high-intensity aerobic or anaerobic activity ;
When a student is participating in high-intensity physical activities during a physical education class in a well-ventilated location and able to maintain a physical distance of six feet from all other individuals ; or
When wearing a face mask creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task .
The executive order was met with mixed reactions from the residents of Hammonton .
Wednesday , August 18 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Mask mandate for schools announced August 6
Paid for by Hammonton GOP 2021 . A . Carpo Treas
“ I definitely do not agree . Kids should not have to wear masks ; it should be the parents ’ choice if they want their kids to . I think it ’ s wrong to force that in school . It can ’ t be good for the kids emotionally , at this point , to wear them . I think , at this point , we are more educated on the virus and the variants , and it should be a choice — not mandatory ,” Norma Long said . Jacqui Foy expressed her feelings about masks in an interview with The Gazette .
“ I ’ m in favor of doing whatever I can to get this all over with . I don ’ t love the idea of my kids wearing a mask for eight hours , but if that ’ s what needs to be done to keep them and those in compromised health safe , then that ’ s what we ’ ll do ,” Foy said .
Foy said that , while she does not know for certain whether masks should or should not be worn , she does know that she has “ never lived during a pandemic .”
“ I ’ m not a scientist . I ’ m not a doctor . I don ’ t pretend to be an expert . I know that , when we look back on history , I ’ d rather say we did way too much , rather than we didn ’ t do enough . My 4-year-old prefers to wear his mask , and my 12-year-old said she ’ ll wear her mask happily if it means she gets to go back to school ,” Foy said . Barbara Neary-Bachalis agreed with Foy , noting that the issue has , for some , become a partisan one .
“ Diseases don ’ t care if you ’ re a Republican or Democrat . Let ’ s take the politics out of medical treatments . It makes me crazy that it ’ s all about politics — if you ’ re a Democrat , you believe one thing , and if you ’ re Republican you believe another . Let ’ s believe our scientists and our medical personnel and the doctors we go to ,” Neary- Bachalis said .
Neary-Bachalis said that she was “ happy that Governor Murphy is requiring our children to wear masks .”
“ I think it will keep our children safe . I believe that to err on the side of caution is the best course of action to take . We don ’ t have anything to lose , and we may have everything to gain to keep our children safe ... I don ’ t want any child lost to this terrible disease . I ’ m a firm believer in taking all the safety precautions we can take ,” Neary-Bachalis said . Vincenzo Penza , however , argued about the effectiveness of “ everyday cloth mask coverings .”
“ Essentially , we ’ re giving the public a false sense of security by saying , ‘ wear a piece of cloth or a retail paper mask and this will create some sort of protection for wearers .’ Science dictates that the only type of protection that really works is in a truly sanitary hospital
See SCHOOL , Page 4
DiMeglio Septic , Inc .
Est . 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio 1 ( 800 ) 427-4617 ~ 561-1007 ~ 561-3597
491 White Horse Pike • Ancora , NJ
• Grease Trap Cleaning • Portable Toilets
• Septic Certifications • Jetting Service
CUSTOM ENGAGEMENT RINGS & WEDDING BANDS REPAIRS COMPLETED ON PREMISES
121 S . White Horse Pike Across from McDonald ’ s Hammonton • 609-561-6222