It's Time To 'Unmask Our Kids,' Fairfield Mom's Signs Say

FAIRFIELD, CT — A Fairfield mom is distributing lawn signs in the hopes of spreading a simple message across town: “Unmask our kids.”

Sarah Nocerino raised $1,000 in 24 hours through grassroots crowdfunding to make the 200 signs, which she began giving out Thursday. The signs became available about a week after Fairfield Public Schools disclosed that students would be expected to wear face masks at the start of the 2021-22 school year, in alignment with state guidance related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“These kids have shouldered such an incredible burden for adults,” said Nocerino, who is the mother of an incoming kindergartner and a preschooler.

While Nocerino said she initially supported children wearing masks in public as a safety measure, with more than half of Connecticut residents fully vaccinated, she questions whether a mask mandate for kids still makes sense.

“As the year’s progressed, especially in our state, we’re just so incredibly lucky to have the vaccination rate that we do,” she said. “I think that an overwhelming number of families are feeling that it’s time to take another look at whether masking our children is necessary.”

Nocerino noted that of the more than 8,000 coronavirus-associated deaths in Connecticut since the start of the pandemic, only four of those who died were under the age of 19.

“They are absolutely at the lowest risk,” she said.

As of Tuesday, five Fairfield school district students were confirmed to have the coronavirus, but no staff members had recently tested positive, according to the district. Another 26 students and staffers were in quarantine.

In a message last week to parents, Superintendent Mike Cummings said the district’s fall safety plan was dictated by the state Department of Education in connection with federal grant requirements.

“We hear loud and clear that many are unhappy at the thought of students and staff having to wear masks in the fall,” he said in the message. “We don't like the idea either and are hopeful that come September the guidance will be updated.”

In addition to requiring masks indoors and when people are within 3 feet of one another outside, the plan calls for social distancing, cohorting whenever possible and contact tracing.

In a communication about the mask mandate, the Department of Education referenced how students younger than 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination.

"We will continue to monitor updated guidance from the CDC to inform planning for the summer and next year," the communication said.

Nocerino’s signs urge people to contact the state Department of Health and speak against mask requirements for children. She hopes the signs will serve as a call to action.

“I want people to know that they are not alone in this feeling,” she said.

Parents can also comment on the district’s plan more directly at my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/802420384. Those interested in a yard sign can email unmaskourkidsffld@gmail.com.