Last Updated: Aug 31, 2021

In reaction to Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam's order mandating masks be worn inside K-12 school buildings, early learning programs, and child care providers, the Pennsylvania Medical Society continues to fully support the CDC’s COVID-19 mitigation guidance of masking, social distancing, and washing hands. These simple yet effective efforts have been proven to reduce the spread of disease. In fact, we saw a marked reduction in patients with the seasonal flu this year due to these measures. Children aged 11 and under aren’t able receive the vaccine yet, therefore, prevention measures are critical to keeping our precious Pennsylvania youth healthy.