Texas is among the states that have banned school mask mandates. “We want the kids in school in person, but you’re not going to allow us to do all the things that will mitigate the spread of disease.” Given the widespread vulnerability, Dan Domenech, executive director of the School Superintendents Association, calls bans on mask mandates in schools irresponsible. “It’s going to be tough going, because I think we’re going to see more quarantining, and closings are going to have to take place again,” he says. The patchwork of policies means the least protected districts risk being the first to close again.