Relation of masking policy to COVID-19 positivity rate in Texas school districts.

ABSTRACT

Understanding of the impact of masking in schools to prevent COVID transmission is limited since much of the data considers factors in addition to masking. We collected data from 30 school districts in Texas, contrasting districts where masks were mandated with those where masks were optional. Results showed that mandatory masking was associated with a reduction in COVID-19 positivity among student populations, but not in staff populations.