WASHINGTON, D.C. August 13, 2021 –The American College of Physicians (ACP) said today that, in agreement with recent recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) masks should be required in schools as part of a comprehensive public health strategy to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“As a country, we have all been watching the number of COVID-19 cases rising precipitously over the past month. We need to ensure that we are availing ourselves of the public health measures available to us to combat this spread,” said George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, president, ACP. “This should include requiring all individuals, students, teachers, and staff, to wear masks in schools.”
Earlier this year ACP issued a Policy Statement on Wearing Masks in Community Settings. That policy recommended that governors require the wearing of masks in public facilities in their respective states, including schools. This recommendation is in agreement with guidance on masks in AAP’s COVID-19 Guidance for Safe Schools.
“Masks are a key public health tool in keeping everyone in our school communities safe,” continued Dr. Abraham. “Especially with such a large segment of our schools’ populations unable to yet access COVID-19 vaccines, masks remain a necessity in our fight to control the COVID-19 pandemic.”
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About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Contact: Andrew Hachadorian, (215) 351-2514, AHachadorian@acponline.org