More local schools, including Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese dropping mask mandates

PITTSBURGH — New mask guidelines are making news at the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese and in some other school districts.

While some say the decision to lift the mandate is a risky one, others that 11 News spoke with say it’s the right time.

“It’s so weird. The whole thing,” said Olivia Roccia, a junior at Pine Richland High School. “Even here at school we stay pretty social distant, like restrictions on how many people are at our lunch table, we’ve always been apart, and when you go to a Penguins game you’re right next to a stranger and maskless.”

That’s just one of the reasons why Roccia says she thinks now is the time for dropping the mask mandate. Today Olivia went to school for the first time in nearly two years and didn’t have to wear a mask. And Olivia wasn’t the only one showing her face today. She says about half of her classmates weren’t wearing one.

The 16-year-old says once the mask routine wears off, she expects even more of her classmates to go maskless, which doesn’t pose a concern to her.

“Now that there is the vaccination option and the booster, I just think that it should be your option because it’s your option to become vaccinated,” Roccia said.

Citing falling case counts in our region in parishes and schools, the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese has also decided to lift their mask mandate for churches and schools by the end of the month.

“I think with what appears to be a rapid decrease in the number of people who have and are being tested and based on what’s happening, certainly in the southwestern Pennsylvania area we thought it was a safe direction to take to lighten up on the provisions that were made both in our churches and in our schools,” said Bishop Zubik.

11 News caught up with some parishioners after service today downtown. Joe Cirilano says he is still going to wear a mask regardless but…

“If the numbers are indicative that that’s appropriate,” Cirilano said. “I trust The science and that’s appropriate and if the numbers change I would expect they change their policy.”

And just today Dr. Rochelle Walensky the head of the CDC said they are reviewing their mask guidance and may soon have an update.

Stay with Channel 11 for the latest on mask mandates in our area.

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