Catholic schools in Virginia have decided to make masks optional for students, starting from Monday, the effective date of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order (pdf) that ends mask mandate in schools. “The health and safety of all students and staff in our schools, while maintaining in-person instruction, remains our top priority,” wrote Amber Roseboom, Director of Media Relations at the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, in an email statement. “Throughout the pandemic, our Catholic schools have been directed to follow state and local public health directives. Where those have been in conflict, the state requirement has primacy,” Roseboom explained. The statement continued, “Therefore, Diocesan direction to our schools is to continue following local public health guidance, without, however, violating the rights of parents as described in Executive Order 2. The governor’s executive order is clear on the right of parents not to have their child be subject to a mask mandate.” According …