With local districts keeping a close eye on COVID-19 numbers and debating how to handle the new school year, in a way it became simpler for them on Monday when the Marquette County Health Department issued a mask order for educational settings in Marquette County.

The order requires that children in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade consistently and properly wear a facial mask covering both nose and mouth while inside any enclosed building or structure of the institution.

Also, regardless of vaccination status, all persons providing service in an educational institution or setting to any child in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade must properly and consistently wear a facial mask while inside any enclosed building, vehicle or structure.

The MCHD said Marquette County is currently at a “high” COVID-19 transmission level according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The test positivity rate is 12.49% and the weekly case rate is 333 per 100,000 population, with data coming from Sept. 12-18.

As a cumulative total of 5,755 probable/confirmed cases and 68 probable/confirmed deaths attributed to COVID-19 have occurred in Marquette County.

We’re sure most people want COVID to go away, but it seems that’s not happening anytime soon. The virus strikes people of all ages, and with the highly contagious Delta variant in the picture, the scenario is particularly concerning.

As far as personal liberties go, we believe schoolchildren wearing masks is a small price to pay to keep them — and the community — healthy, particularly since students under age 12 are ineligible to receive a vaccine. Also, it’s important to note that the mandate, which begins on Thursday, is expected to be in effect only until community transmission in the county is categorized as “moderate” or “low” per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention metrics for at least 14 days, or until further notice from Marquette County Health Officer Gerald Messana.

Of course, not everyone agrees with the mandate. At Monday’s Marquette Board of Education meeting, strong opinions were expressed against the mandate, such as masks not preventing the spread of the virus and carbon dioxide levels rising inside the masks for those wearing them.

Regardless of opinion, wearing a mask is a simple thing to do. You’re not wearing a strait-jacket.

It’s important people do their part to help get transmission levels low.

And if kids need an explanation on why they have to wear masks to school, tell them it’s a good way to keep people healthy, even people they don’t know.

It’s a great lesson to learn early in life.