The Florida Education Board is holding an emergency meeting this afternoon to discuss possible sanctions against Broward and Alachua Counties if it's determined they are defying the Governor and the Health Department's orders by mandating students wear masks with limited exceptions.
As South Florida deals with spiking COVID numbers in conjunction with the start of school, "first and foremost, masking is really going to be one of the best defenses we have," says Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ronald Ford.
For parents of kids 12-years-old and older, he highly recommends the vaccine.
"It's very effective in this age group. It's very safe in this age group. We've give over 1,050 children the vaccine at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital."
While effective, the vaccine is not 100%, so Dr. Ford stresses creating a plan now in case a child does test positive and will have to be out of school.
If you have questions about COVID and your kids as we head back to school, get the facts here on NewsRadio 610 WIOD tonight at 6:00 p.m. on Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital COVID-19 Community Connect.