Even as nations around the world are easing their pandemic restrictions, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) on Jan. 28 adopted a permanent school mask mandate. Since returning to in-person instruction last year, Oregon students have been required to wear masks at school except for removing them briefly when eating or during outdoor sports. That requirement was temporary, though, and expired after 180 days. The state adopted the “permanent” mandate in place of that temporary measure. Masks will now be required in school settings until the rules are repealed. As for when that might be, Oregon education officials say it depends on the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The virus sets the timeline,” wrote the Oregon Department of Education’s Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resilience Manager Kati Moseley in a message to superintendents and school leaders on Jan. 28. “OHA can rescind the masking requirements if it believes the rule or parts …