State Rep. Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) has proposed legislation Thursday aiming to end mask mandates in schools throughout Ohio.

This is after several K-12 and higher education facilities in Ohio have declared mask mandates for students and staff, including Warren and Lakeview, which are both in Laychik's district.

Loychik argues that masking in schools should remain a decision made at individual parents' discretion.

"With our children returning to the classroom shortly, based off of the outcry I've heard from constituents, I believe that this is a decision that should remain optional and up to the discretion of parents on whether or not their child needs to wear a mask - not a mandate from schools receiving public taxpayer funds," Laychik said.

As of Aug. 5, 2021, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, among states reporting, only 0.1-1.9 percent of all COVID-19 cases in children have resulted in hospitalization and only 0.0-0.03 percent have resulted in death.   

Laychik is currently seeking co-sponsors for this bill.