HARRISBURG – Rep. Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) released a statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement of a mask mandate for K-12 students and day-care centers:

 

“The decision to reverse course and institute a mask mandate is illogical. The virus has not affected the entirety of the Commonwealth in the same fashion. The one-size-fits-all approach continues to be a disaster for Pennsylvanians.

 

“It’s quite simple: these types of decisions should be made at the local level. Local leaders know the local conditions better than the Wolf administration.

 

“Less than a month ago, Gov. Wolf revealed he would leave the decision up to school districts. Today’s move signifies yet another instance of the hypocrisy on display by the Wolf administration.

 

“More recently, we were asked to come back to Harrisburg to pass a mask mandate. When we refused to do so, he decides to go around us. That goes against what the majority of residents voted for on May 18.

 

“While everyone has the right to wear a mask if they deem it necessary, this decision to force everyone in our schools to do so is counterproductive and a disservice to our children, parents and school officials. Our students should be able to learn in an environment that best suits them.

 

“Politics should not determine what is best for Pennsylvanians.”