Masks are now a big debate happening in school districts across Greater Cincinnati as the new school year quickly approaches.Some parents in Mason, and even doctors, are pushing the district to require them.A mother we talked with said mask-wearing is a collective effort.She said that means everyone should be wearing masks in Mason City Schools this year."Everyone, K-12 in the building, should be wearing masks," parent, Joy Bennett, said.That's the standard Bennett wants to see in Mason City Schools.Two of her children will return to the classroom soon, but she fears COVID-19 could make it rough, especially for young students who can't get a shot."How do we reduce excessive and prolonged quarantines? How do we keep our kids healthy and able to attend? That's why I think that masking needs to be one of our layers," Bennett said.The mask debate prompted 108 physicians who live in the Mason School District to pen a letter urging leaders to require masks for children and staff."There's a lot of things that we agree upon and that is the importance of safety for our kids. We agree that the masks help us with that and that's why we're strongly recommending that to all of our families," Mason City Schools Superintendent Jonathan Cooper said.Cooper said they are following data and science and not requiring masks now."We are looking at how many cases do we have? Just like we did last year. We are looking at the transmission rates around here. How quick is it passing through our community?" Cooper said.He also said distancing, barriers, handwashing and cleaning will continue.On the flip side, some parents have started petitions to keep masks optional.We found one for Forest Hills Schools.Districts including Lakota Local Schools and Hamilton City Schools are not requiring masks, leaving it up to families.Bennett said the schools have the power.She wants to see them take action."It's really uncomfortable to have to wear something on your face, but I would just ask people to consider that we are a community," Bennett said.Mason City School officials said more than 95 percent of its staff have been vaccinated.The superintendent also said any changes are possible with compelling data.School is set to start in the district next Thursday.At a special public meeting on Wednesday at 5 p.m., Cincinnati Public School board members are also expected to discuss its policy on mask-wearing in the district.

Can your employer require you to get the COVID-19 vaccine?An attorney WLWT talked with said yes.Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc., which acquired AK Steel, said it expects employees to do so but it isn't mandating it.Still, some employees told us they feel they have no choice.This is a tough debate likely to happen in many workplaces.An employee from Cleveland-Cliffs said he doesn't feel there's any option when it comes to the vaccine.Some worry they could be fired for not getting the vaccine.An attorney told us there are several things to consider on both sides."Employers are facing this issue on a daily basis. We've been asked about it a lot," Attorney Jade Robinson said.For some of us, returning to work may take more than a keycard.We went to Robinson, with Faruki PLL, to find out if your boss can require a COVID-19 vaccine."Yes. Employers can require their employees to be vaccinated. Specifically, private employers, so that differs if you work for the state of Ohio," she said.An employee with Cleveland-Cliffs sent us a memo from April.The memo, which was confirmed by a spokeswoman, said that those not vaccinated, "will not be allowed back in the office" and that, "it is my expectation that you are vaccinated and you will be back with us."The employee said they feared no shot means no job."I would say, I, personally, I agree with the employee that it reads like a mandate to me," Robinson said.A Cleveland-Cliffs spokeswoman told us vaccination is not mandated."This internal communication speaks for itself and, as you can read from the message, there is nothing there that could be even remotely construed as a threat of firing people that are not vaccinated. That being said, for everyone's safety across the company, all Cleveland-Cliffs' employees are expected to get vaccinated," Corporate Communications Director Patricia Persico said.Robinson said there are exceptions for those with disabilities or sincerely-held religious beliefs.She told WLWT accommodations can also be made for employees who choose not to be vaccinated.Those include wearing a mask, social distancing and possibly working in a different area, although vaccinated employees would not have to do so.She also said your workplace can ask for proof but it isn't entitled to other information, including additional medical information.Robinson added that even without full approval, your employer can require the shot."The EEOC has stated that they don't view a difference right now in the emergency approval," she said.Still, she said companies need to be fair to each person and their specific situation."It is definitely a hot topic right now and I think it's only going to develop further," Robinson said.Robinson said employers should strongly recommend the vaccine instead of mandating it.She also said employers should consult legal counsel before they implement anything because it is all truly a case-by-case situation.For employees, she said they would need something to happen to them in order to seek legal action.Robinson also wrote an article about this topic for the Ohio Bar Association and you can read that here.

CINCINNATI —

Can your employer require you to get the COVID-19 vaccine?

An attorney WLWT talked with said yes.

Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc., which acquired AK Steel, said it expects employees to do so but it isn't mandating it.

Still, some employees told us they feel they have no choice.

This is a tough debate likely to happen in many workplaces.

An employee from Cleveland-Cliffs said he doesn't feel there's any option when it comes to the vaccine.

Some worry they could be fired for not getting the vaccine.

An attorney told us there are several things to consider on both sides.

"Employers are facing this issue on a daily basis. We've been asked about it a lot," Attorney Jade Robinson said.

For some of us, returning to work may take more than a keycard.

We went to Robinson, with Faruki PLL, to find out if your boss can require a COVID-19 vaccine.

"Yes. Employers can require their employees to be vaccinated. Specifically, private employers, so that differs if you work for the state of Ohio," she said.

An employee with Cleveland-Cliffs sent us a memo from April.

The memo, which was confirmed by a spokeswoman, said that those not vaccinated, "will not be allowed back in the office" and that, "it is my expectation that you are vaccinated and you will be back with us."

The employee said they feared no shot means no job.

"I would say, I, personally, I agree with the employee that it reads like a mandate to me," Robinson said.

A Cleveland-Cliffs spokeswoman told us vaccination is not mandated.

"This internal communication speaks for itself and, as you can read from the message, there is nothing there that could be even remotely construed as a threat of firing people that are not vaccinated. That being said, for everyone's safety across the company, all Cleveland-Cliffs' employees are expected to get vaccinated," Corporate Communications Director Patricia Persico said.

Robinson said there are exceptions for those with disabilities or sincerely-held religious beliefs.

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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

? Has your employer recommended or required you to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Or, are they leaving it up to you completely? ? I'm talking with an attorney about it for an 11PM story.

— Dan Griffin WLWT (@DanGriffinWLWT) May 13, 2021

She told WLWT accommodations can also be made for employees who choose not to be vaccinated.

Those include wearing a mask, social distancing and possibly working in a different area, although vaccinated employees would not have to do so.

She also said your workplace can ask for proof but it isn't entitled to other information, including additional medical information.

Robinson added that even without full approval, your employer can require the shot.

"The EEOC has stated that they don't view a difference right now in the emergency approval," she said.

Still, she said companies need to be fair to each person and their specific situation.

"It is definitely a hot topic right now and I think it's only going to develop further," Robinson said.

Robinson said employers should strongly recommend the vaccine instead of mandating it.

She also said employers should consult legal counsel before they implement anything because it is all truly a case-by-case situation.

For employees, she said they would need something to happen to them in order to seek legal action.

Robinson also wrote an article about this topic for the Ohio Bar Association and you can read that here.

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