Health leaders in West Virginia are urging schools to implement a mask mandate ahead of the upcoming school year. Twelve health organizations in the state, including the West Virginia chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Physicians, came together to ask county education boards and school administrators to require masks on campus. In a joint letter, the health officials stated that masks are critical to protect students who are not eligible for the COVID vaccine. The organizations are asking schools to follow the CDC guidelines, which recommends masks for all students, staff, and visitors regardless of vaccination status.