PENNSYLVANIA - A Pennsylvania appeals court heard arguments Wednesday on whether the Wolf administration had the legal right to impose a mask mandate on K-12 schools and child care facilities to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.The state’s acting health secretary ordered students, teachers and staff to wear face coverings when inside, reversing course after Gov.
Tom Wolf had earlier pledged that masking in schools would remain a local decision. The Aug. 31 order, issued as the highly contagious delta variant was driving a statewide surge in cases and hospitalizations, has sparked fierce opposition among some school board members and parents.Commonwealth Court is deciding a pair of lawsuits filed by parents who contend that masks.