RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper wants to talk about the state’s mask policies as COVID-19 case totals and hospitalizations have fallen in recent weeks.
Cooper scheduled a news conference for Thursday to discuss guidance for mask-wearing, which largely centers around schools.
State health officials have strongly urged students and staff in K-12 schools to wear masks indoors, but it’s been left up to school boards to make mask-wearing required or optional.
About half of the boards have now agreed to mask-optional policies.
Republican legislators want to let parents opt out of local school board mandates.
A bill permitting such will be considered Thursday morning.
