Libs are kicking up an absolute shitfit over Youngkin's opt-out order. Here's the rundown of the arguments I've seen.
Virginia has a law in place that says school boards make the decisions when it comes to how to run local schools.
Liberals are arguing hard for this now, but they pushed trans policies on every school board in the state last year. All of them had to take a vote to amend their policies to be in line with the state, and parents turned out in angry droves.
Virginia has a law in place that says schools need to do whatever is practicable to keep schools COVID safe and try to follow CDC recommendations.
This law was passed with a bipartisan vote last year. It guarantees that schools will remain open in person for every child. It has vague "follow the CDC guidelines and do your best" language. However, the bill is set to expire in August, and the CDC has already stated that masks are not effective in reducing transmission. So it's not likely to be something that will stop Youngkin.
Virginia's Constitution includes a section saying that "a parent has the fundamental right to make decisions concerning the upbringing, education, and care of the parent's child."
Youngkin's executive order says that any parent subject to a local mask mandate may opt out of the mandate without providing a doctor's or religious exemption note, or without having to offer any explanation. The EO operates under the logic that the Constitution provides the "check" on any law passed by the Legislature. Therefore, a school board can create their basic guidelines for COVID mitigation, but a parent has the final right of refusal, as noted in the state Constitution.
There is also an on-the-books law that says wearing masks in public is prohibited, which was never overwritten except through executive order from the last governor. So there's that.
So while rogue school boards are stating they will force mask mandates and ignore Youngkin, they have also been restricting Facebook comments on their announcement posts, while teachers promise to put unmasked kids out in the hallway to learn if they're not allowed to force them to mask. On the internet. In plain sight.
And the national Dems can't keep their mouths shut.
View attachment 2893901
Virginia is going to be really interesting for a while.