20210523_Cease_and_Desist_Outdoor_Masks

May 23, 2021

To:
Dr. Jeffrey Burt, Colchester Superintendent of Schools

CC:
Colchester Board of Education
Ms. Mary Bylone, Colchester First Selectman


Subject: Cease and Desist of Outdoor Mask Wearing Requirements

References:
(A) PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC –
REVISED ORDER FOR MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS; Executive Order 12; dated May 18,
2021
(B) COVID-19 Update May 21, 2021 E-Mail; Superintendent Burt; dated May 21, 2021
(C) A Misleading C.D.C. Number; New York Times; David Leonhardt;
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/11/briefing/outdoor-covid-transmission-cdc-number.html; dated
May 11, 2021


Dr. Burt,
Recently the Governor of Connecticut has released new mask guidelines, Reference (A), for
individuals in the state of Connecticut. This new guidance continues to mandate mask use indoors
under certain circumstances. Importantly to this letter, the guidance eliminates all mask requirements
outdoors.

In Reference (B), there was no explicit mention of outdoor mask usage. There was an indirect reference
to outdoor mask usage by stating, the “ECC will continue with the mask wearing policy”. It’s not clear
if that is a position on outdoor mask usage and should be clarified.

Recently I had a discussion with my son about mask requirements during outdoor recess. He indicated
that during outdoor recess mask wearing was still required. This is concerning because it contradicts
Reference (A) and science.

I personally do not consent- as legal guardian of my children, I do not consent for them, to be required
to wear a mask outdoors. There is no legal requirement for outdoor mask wearing. Any attempt to use
unelected (unaccountable) “public health experts” as a shield for enforcing outdoor mask usage is
tyranny. It is also quite frankly anti-science, abusive, and un-American.

In the United States of America, courts have ruled that when government officials infringe on personal
freedoms the “Least Restrictive Means Test” must be applied. As Governor of Connecticut, Ned
Lamont, employed this when removing mandates for outdoor mask usage. There is no significant
scientific evidence that COVID-19 is spread during while engaging in outdoor activities.

Dr. Burt, as Superintendent of the Colchester school system, you personally are in violation of the
“Least Restrictive Means Test” by not immediately removing rules regarding outdoor mask usage when
Reference (A) was enacted.
Regarding the scientific literature surrounding the “danger” of COVID-19 outdoors, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that “less than 10%” of COVID-19 transmission
occurs outdoors. Numerous media and scientific articles have lambasted the CDC and the study for this
assertion; for example, Reference (C). The 10% number is overly inflated and the study it is based on
does not withstand scrutiny. The study was counting infections that actually occurred indoors.

The reality is that there is no scientific data to indicate a COVID-19 positive person can infect another
person outdoors. Applicable to this letter, there is zero scientific evidence a COVID-19 positive child
can infect another person outdoors.

It has become obvious the COVID-19 response has become un-scientific and is largely driven by
emotion and politics. More troubling, there does seem to be an abusive mental control aspect regarding
government officials application of COVID-19 guidelines.

In conclusion, the Superintendent of Schools is in a powerful position to affect the local COVID-19
guidelines impacting children. It’s important that we move forward based on the law, and based on the
science. The law and the science support the elimination of all outdoor mask wearing requirements. I
request that you immediately cease and desist all requirements for outdoor mask usage.

Sincerely,
Michael Dubreuil
180 Woodbine Road
Colchester, Connecticut