Louisiana Federal Judge Blocks Mask and Vaccine Mandate for Head Start Workers, Children: This Case Is ‘Ultimately About the Separation of Powers’ – By Marisa Sarnoff (Law & Crime) / Sept 21, 2022
A federal judge in Louisiana has blocked enforcement of a Department of Health and Human Services directive requiring employees and volunteers with the Head Start early education program to wear masks and be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.
The ruling came in the case of Louisiana v. Becerra, which names Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra as a defendant. The matter was consolidated in May with plaintiff Sandy Brick’s lawsuit against President Joe Biden over the same Head Start mask and vaccine mandate.
At issue was a rule issued in November 2021 required that Head Start staff, as well as any contractors or volunteers who work directly with children or families, be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 31, 2022. The rule also required anyone older than age 2 wear masks while indoors, and while outdoors during activities that involved close contact with other people.
Brick, a teacher, sued the Biden administration the following month.
