February 23rd, 2022 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland State Board of Education voted 12 to 2 Tuesday in favor of ending the statewide mask mandate in schools effective March 1^st.  The vote came moments after state superintendent Mohammed Choudhury recommended returning control of masking guidelines to local school divisions. Approval by a joint legislative committee will be the next step in finalizing the new guidance. Allegany County Board of Education President Crystal Bender reacted to the news…

In a related story, an emergency meeting of the Allegany County Board of Health is set for this afternoon to establish new quarantine guidelines for those exposed or potentially exposed to COVID-19.  Commissioners President Jake Shade said with the mask mandate lifted in schools, it will be important next step for  the quarantine protocols  to be relaxed as well to help keep kids in the classrooms