mask debate

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday he is activating the National Guard to assist in hospitals across the state, and he also issued a mask advisory — something that lawmakers and certain groups say is not enough.

A youth wrestling tournament in Burlington, Massachusetts, this weekend is causing a bit of a stir. Students will have to wear masks and so will parents and coaches. But some parents don’t want to — and now they’re pulling their kids out of the competition.

Health care workers who were once saluted for saving lives in the COVID-19 outbreak are now being issued panic buttons and ditching their scrubs before going out in public to avoid harassment.

A group of parents of disabled students has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to strike down Iowa’s law banning schools from requiring masks, arguing it endangers their health and denies equal access to education.

The rancorous debate over whether returning students should wear masks in the classroom has moved from school boards to courtrooms. In at least 14 states, lawsuits have been filed either for or against masks in schools. In some cases, normally rule-enforcing school administrators are finding themselves fighting state leaders. Legal experts say that while state laws normally trump local control,…

Face coverings in school are a hot-button issue as Massachusetts school districts grapple with tough decisions. “We’re at restaurants now without masks so I feel like kids should definitely be able to breathe freely and be like normal kids again,” said Milford parent Emily Rhames. Some school districts like Boston have already decided that masks will be required in...

In many communities, students will be wearing masks, but there’s no statewide mandate.