The fight over requiring face masks in South Carolina schools reached the state's highest court this week. A decision on one case has already been issued, and it strikes down a school mask mandate passed by the city of Columbia. Reporter Stephen Fastenau breaks down what this decision means for S.C. schools.
The fight over requiring face masks in South Carolina schools reached the state's highest court this week.
On Tuesday, the S.C. Supreme Court heard two cases related to masking rules that challenged a state budget provision that prohibits schools from using state-appropriated funds to require masks.
Public health officials have strongly encouraged the use of masks, citing rapidly-rising COVID cases among school-age South Carolinians.
But justices emphasized during hearings this week that they wouldn't be weighing in on the merits of mask, only the letter of the law.
Just a couple days after the court heard the cases, a decision was issued Thursday afternoon, striking down Columbia's ordinance requiring masks.
Post and Courier Columbia reporter Stephen Fastenau breaks down what happened at the hearings and what this decisions means for S.C. schools.