Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan called on the State Board of Education on Thursday to stop requiring face coverings in schools.

Hogan cited the state�s improving health metrics, a well as the widespread availability of vaccines for school-age children.

�A growing number of medical professionals, parents, and bipartisan state officials throughout the nation are calling for an end to school mask requirements,� the Republican governor wrote in a letter to Clarence Crawford, the board�s president. �In light of dramatic improvements to our health metrics and the widespread availability of vaccines, I am calling on you to take action to rescind this policy.�

Lora Rakowski, a board spokeswoman, said the board appreciates the governor�s input and is in the process of responding.

Earlier this week, the board released a statement saying it was �watching with optimism as COVID-19 metrics improve in the State because our goal has been and continues to be to provide safe in person instruction for our children and staff with minimal disruptions.�

The statement added that the board �will continue its practice of reviewing current COVID-19 metrics in the State to assess the need for the continuation of the regulation.�

�Our commitment has not changed,� the board said in its statement. �The emergency regulation does provide research-based off-ramps for local school systems and schools based on vaccination and transmission rates.�

Hogan sent the letter on the same day he announced that COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maryland have fallen below 1,000. The governor noted that hospitalizations have dropped by 71% since peaking last month just below 3,500.

While the pandemic has presented challenges for everyone, the governor wrote that �it has been perhaps most difficult and disruptive for children.�

�The consequences include failing grades, regressed social development, and increased mental health challenges,� Hogan wrote. �If these trends are not reversed quickly, we face the unthinkable prospect of a generation left behind, both academically and socially.�

Hogan also pointed out that Maryland ended the state�s indoor mask mandate in May. While he praised Crawford for supporting in-person instruction and emphasizing social-emotional health, the governor wrote that �now, it is critical to move toward normalcy for students and families by rescinding the school masking policy.�

The policy was adopted by the State Board of Education in Dec. 2021, and enacted by the Maryland General Assembly�s Administrative, Executive, and Legislative Review Committee.

�We must all learn to live with this virus, not in fear of it,� Hogan wrote.

(AP)