As tax payers in Harrison County, our voices and opinions deserve to be heard. It is our right as parents to decide what is best for OUR children. We should not have to choose between sending our children to school, or forcing them to wear a mask. I believe that every parent, care giver, guardian, and household should have the right to decide what is best for their child.

As a mother of three school aged children, this topic is extremely important to me and close to my heart. All of my children have been negatively affected by the mask mandate in more ways than one. One of my children not only has asthma and their breathing severely affected but also has developed symptoms of anxiety and depression over having to wear masks. My friend's daughter, among other children have suffered from molluscum on their necks and chins as a direct result of being forced to wear masks. Experts also warn of long term effects resulting in protruding ears. Masks are not only uncomfortable for our children but can be harmful. They have given all of my children headaches and have made it difficult for them to concentrate. Masks can also be breeding grounds for infections from bacteria, mold, and fungi. The has also been much scientific research to suggest that these masks we are forcing our children to wear are not only unnecessary, but don't actually even serve a purpose. Mask wearing makes it harder for young children to develop linguistic skills and prevents those with hearing impairments from lip reading. It also hinders development of social skills and the opportunity for autistic children to rely on facial cues.

Mask mandates are hindering our children's learning while harming them emotionally, socially, and physically. Our children have been through enough and their mental, emotional and physical well being have had to endure TOO MUCH over the last year and a half.

The story of our children is one of only many throughout our community and I urge ALL of you to speak up for your children and sign this petition for South Harrison Community School Corporation to lift their mask mandate. If we do not advocate for our children, no one else will. With mask mandates being lifted all over the country and in our neighboring counties, it needs to be lifted in ours as well. The choice to wear a mask or not should be left to each individual/family, not a government official. Thank you.