Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt speaks during a news conference in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 2:50 PM PT – Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is fighting back against mask mandates for students in public schools. On Tuesday, Schmitt filed a class action lawsuit against Columbia public schools and several members of the district school board who are forcing mask mandates on staff and students. Schmitt claimed mask mandates are more harmful to students than they are helpful.

In the lawsuit, he argued “the cure should not be worse than the disease.” He pointed out students lose the ability to see facial expressions and other visual cues from their peers and teachers when forced to mask up. He expressed concern it could set them behind other children.

Schmitt added the lawsuit ultimately aims to bring power back to parents to choose what is best for their children. He also noted the risk COVID poses to children in miniscule compared to other daily activities children engage in, including riding in a car.