Peach Tree Times

A Fulton County judge has ruled against an emergency request by parents to prohibit mask requirements in Fulton County Schools, according to a recent report by CBS 46.

The ruling follows a Sept. 21 lawsuit by parents claiming mask requirements led to physical and mental health issues in their students, including shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches and difficulty learning, CBS 46 reported.

“As a school district, we have assessed the data and the needs of our community, and we appreciate the court’s recognition of those efforts,” Fulton County Schools said in a statement to CBS 46. “Our focus has always been on keeping students, staff and the community safe and doing everything we can to keep schools open to in-person learning. Our position on masks has helped us do that.”

The lawsuit, filed by 11 families in the district, states an August update to the school’s mask policy was ill-conceived and made planning for their child’s individual needs “financially impossible.” Currently, masks are required in schools located in cities with more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week period, CBS 46 said. 

According to CBS 46, the ruling by Superior Court of Fulton County Judge Eric Dinaway denied their request, stating there was no evidence to show wearing a mask would cause irreparable harm to students.

The representative for the families, Ray Smith III, told CBS 46 he plans to appeal the decision.