Ottawa County Health Department Mask Mandate for Elementary Students

Marcia Mansaray
Deputy Health Officer
mmansaray@miottawa.org
616-396-5266

The Ottawa County Health Department has indicated it will issue a public health order tomorrow forcing elementary students to wear masks in school.

On Thursday, August 19, 2021, Marcia Mansaray, the Deputy Health Officer of Ottawa County, stated in an email:

“…we plan to release a public health order tomorrow requiring face masks in educational settings.”

The order is expected to target children in elementary school.

This appears to be an abrupt change from exactly two weeks prior (see article from August 6, 2021) when the health department issued an order that did not require masking in schools.

MDHHS Recommendations

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (“MDHHS”) recommended that schools require masking, along with implementing “prevention measures tailored based on building, district, and community needs [emphasis added].”

The MDHHS recommendation from August 13, 2021 did not recommend that local health departments issue public health orders to force mask compliance.

According to parents and elected leaders speaking with Ottawa Impact, families in the community do not want unelected health administrators forcing them to mask their children.

Marcia Mansaray is choosing to ignore parents and elected representatives (see article from August 17, 2021) and the principles of freedom. Instead, the health department is usurping the rights of parents and preventing parents from making the best decisions for their own children.

Is “Health” Really the Goal?

According to the Ottawa County Department of Public Health website, the vision of the department is: “Healthy People.”

Why are they forcing healthy kids to wear masks?

According to the State of Michigan, the risk of death from Covid-19 in children under age 14 is extremely low. Data shows that young children are generally unaffected by Covid-19, and there have been zero deaths in this age range in Ottawa County.

Why is the health department forcing young students to wear masks, which easily become dirty, pose health risks, and hinder communication?

Why are they using threats of force, instead of issuing guidance and recommendations?

The mission of the health department is: “Working together to assure conditions that promote and protect health.”

Are mandates and force the best way for a public health department to “work together” with the community? Is this the best way for a health department to pursue “Integrity” and “Excellence?”

Please contact Marcia Mansaray and tell her Ottawa County values the Constitutional parental right to direct the care of one’s own children.