While Los Angeles and San Diego school districts announced their campuses will not reopen next month, Orange County's Board of Education is recommending students return to classrooms without masks or social distancing requirements.
The decision will ultimately fall on individual school districts, but Monday night's recommendation stirred up plenty of controversy.
Parents expressed an overwhelming opposition to continue distance learning into the fall.
"I have a huge concern of not going back to school in the way of mental health aspects that I see will follow … increased depression, anger issues," said Margot Schrank, a parent.
The board believes requiring children to wear masks is impossible. It also cites a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics that says children are least likely to contract COVID-19.
Cynthia Blackwell, a retired teacher, urged parents not to send their kids back to school.
"They're putting every child, teacher at risk," she said. "Children are getting sick and I know a lot of my friends who are still teaching have elderly parents like I do. They can't be bringing things home."
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The board's recommendation is not a mandate, nor is it enforceable.
It will be up to each school district in Orange County to make back to school plans, whether in person or online or a hybrid.
This comes as Orange County reported 540 new covid cases Monday.
