U.S. health officials are recommending that children wear masks this autumn when they return to school. Parents and policy makers however are debating whether face coverings should be required. The delta variant of the coronavirus now threatens to effect normal behavior for the third school year. Some states have decided they will listen to the federal government’s guidance and require masks. Others will leave the decision up to parents. The situation takes place at a time when many Americans want pandemic restrictions to end. Others fear their children will be put at risk by those who do not follow the restrictions. In a few states, lawmakers passed laws barring schools from requiring masks. In Connecticut, protests against mask requirements have happened outside Governor Ned Lamont’s home in Hartford. Street signs call on him to “unmask our kids.” The governor has said that he is likely to follow the latest advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Last week, the CDC recommended indoor masks for all teachers, employees, students and visitors at schools nationwide. It said people should wear masks whether or not they have been vaccinated. The agency said this was to stop the spread of the highly contagious delta variant.