Public Perspectives on Masking Policy in Schools

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the U.S. government to implement mitigation strategies, including school closures and mask mandates, to reduce infections and deaths. However, discussions about COVID-19 policies are often dominated by policymakers, with limited representation from the general public. To address this gap, this study aims to explore public opinions on the impact of masking policy on school-related affairs. The study's two main research questions are: 1) What are the common topics of public discussion regarding mask policies in schools and how have they changed over time? 2) What are people's attitudes towards mask policies in schools and why? Topic modeling and sentiment analysis will be used to answer these questions and draw conclusions. The results show that topics including the need for effective interventions to inhibit COVID-19 transmission and its impact on the health and education of students are commonly discussed in the public. In addition, the majority of people endorse mask mandates in schools as it effectively safeguards the health of faculty and students. Those who oppose it have legitimate concerns.