Despite an order from the Washington state governor lifting mask requirements, Seattle school kids may still have to wear face coverings until spring because the teachers union says they 'bring normalcy' to the classroom.  

'Future decisions on mask use within the district will be made in partnership with public health, and its implementation will be established after consultation and mutually agreed upon guidelines that are reached through bargaining with our labor partners,' according to a statement from the Seattle Public Schools.

Schools around the U.S. will soon be lifting their masks as governors and mayors ease restrictions as infection rates fall, with some notable exceptions.

On March 11, the rest of Washington state will be able to congregate indoors in schools, restaurants and other group settings, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee decreed, because the seven-day infection rate has dropped to 263, an 18 percent drop from the week before.

The teachers union, the Seattle Education Association, however, stomped the brakes on that plan, arguing that kids have gotten used to masks and would feel odd without them.

'Masks contribute to feelings of safety and normalcy that schools provide our students,' according to a letter from the labor group. 'Removing masks will significantly disrupt that sense of normalcy, and educators will struggle to explain to students why we are removing masks so soon.'