“Masks are not a silver bullet”–says Thorsland

Dr. Michael Thorsland, superintendent, expressed pride tonight that, in his view, the Oconee County public schools have since the arrival of COVID-19 been able to educate their students “as close to normal” as any other school district.  At tonight’s meeting, the superintendent referred to the combination of in-class and virtual learning conducted during the last few months of last year and the decision to revert to in-person learning this year.  Thorsland conceded that there are some South Carolina districts that are pushing a mask mandate, but not Oconee’s.  Because of the state legal restrictions against ordering a mask mandate, he explained, a mask mandate to include classroom and in-building wearing of facial coverings is not an option for Oconee.  He spoke after about 10 meeting audience members were divided on whether there should be masks or not.