Back-to-school struggles

Florida school districts defy the governor’s ban on mask mandates. An elementary school that welcomed its students back in the spring is still struggling to make a full return to normal. Plus, why you should rid your vocabulary of “corporate-isms.”

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At least four school districts in Florida have announced that they will either keep or issue new mask mandates in light of the coronavirus outbreak ravaging the state. Their announcements directly challenge an order by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who has threatened to withhold funds from schools that mandate face coverings for students. 

The debate over mask mandates is just one part of the conversation about how to safely reopen schools for in-person learning, as the coronavirus, aided by the delta variant, threatens to disrupt children’s educations for the third straight school year. Perry Stein reports on the stakes of such a prolonged disruption, and on whether schools can make up for that lost time. 

“Nice to e-meet you.” “Let’s touch base.” “I’m out of pocket.” Remote, virtual work is making us talk like robots. Tatum Hunter teaches us how to “circle back” to being human.