IRON RIVER, MI— The Dickinson-Iron District Health Department has regretfully rescinded its mask mandate for kindergarten through 6th grade students.
The department was informed last week of language in a budget bill expected to be signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. It says any health department that issues emergency school mask orders designed to combat COVID-19 will lose state funding for essential local public health services. Health officer Daren Deyaert says that includes immunizations, infectious disease control, food protection, and many other services.
He says health officials were forced to choose between what’s best for current public health and the future of essential public health programs.
