Federal Judge Strikes Down Governor Lee’s Mask Opt-Out Order In One County

To mask or not to mask…the fight over masks in schools continues and it just took another turn on Friday when a federal judge in Memphis issued a temporary restraining order on Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order allowing parents to opt their children out of school mask mandates. U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman issued the restraining order blocking Lee’s order in Shelby County only….saying “defendant Shelby County is ORDERED to enforce its Health Orders without exception for Governor Lee’s Executive Order No. 84.” The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two Shelby County students with medical conditions making them vulnerable to COVID-19. Their attorney argued that Lee’s order denied his clients their right to a public education since the order allows unmasked students to potentially infect them. Judge Lipman also said Lee’s order likely violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. While this order is for only Shelby county in the state…it could set the legal precedent for other challenges to be brought in other counties across the state.