do these cobb county officials get that? >> i don't know. you know, i work in a hospital where i see a lot of icu patients, i see the great majority of covid patients that are sick, and it's horrible. i think the biggest thing i'm concerned about in my county is just protecting all the kids. and i don't know that they understand that. >> i've spoken to parents and doctors who have been threatened, yelled at because they supported masks in schools. were you concerned about what reaction you would get for taking a stand? because i'm sure maybe you've seen some of the news reports of that happening to parents? >> yeah. i mean, i think my wife is more scared of it than i am. i think for my sake i'm pretty isolated working counts hless hs in the hospital, so i don't actually have time to go to the rallies which i would love to go to, but from my standpoint i feel like i need to do what i can to get the message out that i think masks are really important to protect our kids. >> doctor, cobb county lets parents decide therfor their ki but we know h

unlike most metro atlanta school districts cobb county is not requiring masks inside schools.r safety are about to hold a protest. what are you seeing now? >> reporter: they are if this weather holds up for them. we're in driving rain right now. they had a preliminary meeting in the last half hour. parents already showed up for pub pu public comment. parents who wanted masks sat on the left side, parents who did not want masks on the right-hand side. some parents were basically saying they want dividers, physical separation between their kids and they don't think the school board here is doing that. i want you to listen to some of the public comment that just happened here a few moments ago. >> i worked every day through this pandemic in the office, in the hospital. we take multiple, multiple precautions. now i feel hopeless and just vulnerable that my kids are going to school and there are no precautions. >> thank you superintendent ragsdale for keeping masks optional in cobb county schools. you are following the science and the facts. >> reporter: one thing that's clear here

the cobb county board of education didn't take up this subject, they did not change anything yet when it comes to the mask mandate. some parents say they have to see change and they want to see something happen to protect those kids. back to you. >> and cnn has learned the cobb county school district decided to keep its mask optional policy but saying in a statement after the meeting that masks are strongly encouraged. >>> new zealand and parts of australia are tightening covid restrictions as the delta variant fuels a rise in cases around the world. sydney is extending its lockdown through september, the state of new south wales reported nearly 650 new infections friday, but most in sydney. and the nationwide lockdown in new zealand will be extended until next week, the country's prime minister says its timeree. >>> hong kong continuing to tighten its covid restrictions but actress nicole kidman has managed to avoid the mandatory quarantine. will ripley is in quarantine position in hong kong. so you can understand why kidman might want to avoid the quarantine restrictions. you've gon

but just down where we're standing is cobb county. in cobb county they're leaving it up to parents and students to decide whether or not they wear a mask. and feeling pretty good about that decision. the parents that we spoke to said their children have not seen their classmates in 18 months. they feel extremely grateful for the possibility of in-person learning. this was not an option in the last school year. this year it exists but without masks. here is some parent that's we spoke to on their way in this morning. >> how are you feeling about her areaing a mask today? >> i'm really glad. it's safer, there is no reason to expose the children to i unnecessary risk. >> these kids are good to go. they wore masks all last year. they were really comfortable and we're really excited they're back in person. >> we talked to the superintendent here. she said one thing with room for improvement is vaccination among her staff. she would like to see that number higher and 18% of students eligible for the vaccine have received it. she is hopeful

also a cobb county school board member. welcome to both of you.eems you showed up for an open house. there stands the principal without wearing mask and its downhill from there. >> it was downhill for us from there. we passed the principal, you read in the piece most of the front office staff was unmasked and it was a 50/50 toss up as to what you would see when you would walk in the classroom. the point that was really made in the classroom is that there will be no bullying one way or the other about someone's personal choice. i cannot ask your child about a mask. you cannot ask me about one. we're going back full capacity in places like the cafeteria. some of the measures, many of the social distancing measures that were in place the year prior would not be in place now. i recognized that with change and behavior, we see different die ynamics with this pandemic a type of covid that we were not dealing with when we made our choices to send the children back to school. >> how did you read the room and by that, i mean did other parents seem okay wit

i've got to mention, no indication in changes to the mask policy in cobb county public schools.y remain optional. the principal saying they are now strongly encouraged here at the school. we should also mention parents are organizing a rally sometime later this afternoon outside the school district to push for a mask mandate, erica. >> be interesting to see where that goes. keep us posted, amara. thank you. >>> will vaccination push, in los angeles, anyone wanting to enter most indoor public spaces, stephanie elam following this for us. how is this going to work? >> reporter: the whole idea, erica, they're saying this could protect the residents here. it was very clear when you listen to the people from the board, from the city council who were talking about this that they do think this is going to protect people. what they unanimously voted on yesterday was to allow for the city attorney to draw up an ordinance that will make it so that someone will have to show proof of at least one dose of the vaccination for them to enter any of these public spaces. we're talking about resta

in cobb county, georgia, it took only mean days bnine days befor sent home. at least four georgia school districts have stopped in-person classes. some parents say there need to be safety measures in place when kids return. >> you need to bring back the similar protocol we had last semester. there were barriers. the kids had masks. >> reporter: across the country debate around mask mandates have become heated. >> if you vote for this, we will come for you in a non-violent way. >> reporter: more than 1600 children were admitted to hospitals last week, nearly four times as many as the first week of july. >> not just the one patient but the parents are positive, all the siblings are positive. >> reporter: to help prevent those types of family outbreaks, california became the first state to require all teachers to show proof of vaccination or take regular covid-19 tests. now republican governors in several states have tried to stop schools from using their own mask mandates, but the list of districts defying those orders continues to grow, too. >> not surprising.

. >> reporter: covid has exploded in cobb county schools, georgia's second-biggest system. on august 6, the first week of classes, 253 cases. a week later, it's tripled, more than 800 cases. the hot spot: east side elementary, almost 50 cases in two weeks, every fifth grader sent home after an outbreak. your kid has been exposed. >> not surprised, not shocked, but still very devastated. >> reporter: tini krisman has two sons at east side. her older boy, a third grader, was exposed to someone in school with covid. she's getting him tested. but school quarantine policy would let him go back to class right away without a test. just wear a mask for 10 days. how worried are you until you get the results? >> very much. we're checking the e-mail. >> reporter: today atlanta's grady memorial hospital changed its status-- total diversion. please take new patients elsewhere. on june 20, seven covid patients. every i.c.u. and emergency division bed is spoken for. >> you'll have patients waiting in the hallway. >> reporter: dr. robert jansen is grady's chief medical officer. >> the expo

so the african people in cobb county has been sweeping through the country in recent weeks. now seizing nearly a dozen provinces, the mass offensive developed in the wake of the pentagon to withdraw the town about advance comes as talks. and cats are between half kind of a star. it is and the taliban failed to produce a peace deal. meanwhile, washington made it clear that it won't come to cobbles, rescue african leaders have to come together. we lost thousands at last death and injury. thousands of american personnel got to fight for themselves. meantime, a number of news us news outlets have been citing, that undisclosed intelligence official claiming that the capital cobble could fall to the taliban within 90 days. but here's the situation right now. the militants control, 2 thirds of the country, which you can see here and read. that leaves. government forces with enclave as you can see them shaded in in green that but with a much reduced territory. the rest currently disputed regions which are on the brink right now, but the islamists have taken hold of some districts in

come within the next 24 to 36 hours on the last, british military flight has left cobb county. the u. k is remaining diplomats and troops out. it ends nearly 20 years of british military presence. the final flight for afghan civilians left earlier on saturday, hundreds of people are entitled to resettlement in the u. k. and then left behind. canadians have been rallying to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis, not gun is done in toronto. the protest has called them the government to do more for those have been left behind or can ida is expected to make landfall on the u. s . gulf coast late on sunday as a dangerous category for hurricane. louisiana has now declared a state of emergency. it comes exactly 16 years after hurricane katrina cause devastation to new orleans. hundreds of palestinians have demonstrated in the southern gaza strip and what they say, the 1st series of nighttime protest along these rarely border calling on israel to ease its blockade. on garza, australia is most popular. state new south wales is reporting a record of more than 1200 new current vir

reporter: cobb county reporting 185 cases in the first week of classes. ith -- in the first two days of school. hospitalization is up by 40% in the past week, covid taking its toll in unvaccinated communities. >> the biggest fear is a variant of high consequence, which would be a variant worse than the delta variant that would actually be able to overcome our current vaccines and current remedies. reporter: but there is one positive coming out of this rise of infections -- all 50 states are reporting more residents are rolling up their sleeves and getting that first dose of vaccine. karina mitchell, abc news. dion: the sturgis motorcycle rally is roaring in south dakota despite concerns over the delta variant. the event kicked off in grand fashion with the parade featuring the budweiser clydesdales. organizers expect at least 700,000 people to attend. there is no mask mandate, and proof of vaccination is not required, but many in attendance say they are still not worried. reporter: i have been to daytona bike week and a bunch of other rallies. a lot of tha

. >> cobb county schools north of atlanta in the midst of a debate over mask mandates. than double the active cases in a week. >> i don't know if there are a certain number of positive cases that you are looking for or do a certain number of kids need to die before you humble yourself enough to admit that you're wrong. >> reporter: in alabama, every county listed as high risk. >> you are hurting our children and these teachers that want to act like they have control of our children in dictating to them? no. >> reporter: texas governor greg abbott still battling covid-19 himself and mask mandates. including those in schools to remain in effect at least for now. >> reporter: back here in florida governor ron desantis's battle continues. broward and lf ashua county said they will keep their mandates and respond to the governor in the next 48 hours. miami-dade, they start on monday with a mask mandate of their own. christi, boris. >> nadia, thank you so much. >>> let's talk to an expert about all of this. dr. tyson bell joins us now. he's the director of the medical intensi

you go ten miles dunn the road in cobb county and they are not required it wear masks, they are giving that as an option. you also have the governor of georgia who has expressed vehemently that his disagrees and will not mandate masks in the state of georgia. as for those wearing masks into the classroom today, parents were delighted to have their kids back in school and they feel a certain measure of safety. the superintendent in atlanta feels good about the fact that students are automobile to meet in person. only about 58 to 59% of her staff have received their full vaccinations. she feels good about the safeguards put in place. here's what she told us yesterday. >> last year we had to make the difficult decision to go virtual so for the last 18 months, approximately 15% of our scholars have not been in school. it's more than just the first day. it's a new normal. and for us it important we can embrace and support it as best as possible. >> and again, halle, we spoke to some parents, one who was an e.r. doctor, who said masks are absolutely peace of mind, sending her kids back witho

in cobb county, they are optional. clayton county is starting class today with masks required but already from that district of more than 52,000 students we're hearing of some challenges on day one. just overnight, clayton county posted a statement on twitter saying that one of the middle schools will have to start class virtually for a few days because of the number of staff in quarantine. that district also announced a few days ago the same situation for one of their high schools. so this is a very challenging situation for all educators to navigate right now. we just heard from the superintendent here in dekalb county public schools surveying more than 90,000 students. she was talking about the decision to require masks for all students and staff here. here is what she said. >> we need to know that having our children in the building is the best decision for the majority of our scholars. we know that many of our families were nervous about sending the children back, just in conversations. if we could all ban together

karina: cobb county reporting 185 cases in the first week of classes. ounty with 166 cases in just the first two days of school. across the country, the average number of hospital admissions is up by more than 40% in the past week. covid taking its toll in unvaccinated communities. dr. aileen marty: the biggest fear is a variant of high consequence, which would be a variant worse than the delta variant, that would actually be able to overcome our current vaccines and our current remedies. karina: but there is one positive coming out of this rise in infections. all 50 states are reporting more residents are rolling up their sleeves and getting that first dose of vaccine. in new york, karina mitchell, abc news. julian: the sturgis motorcycle rally is roaring on in south dakota, despite concerns about the delta variant. the 10 day event kicked off in grand fashion with separate featuring the budweiser clydesdales. at least 700,000 people are expected to attend. there is no mask mandate, no proof of vaccination required. many in attendance say they are not w

so then there's the cobb county school district which does not have a mask mandate and reported overin its schools over the last week. and the governor of georgia has been outspoken against masks. what are your thoughts and concerns when you look at the current scenario and school is only in progress in some cases, just a few days, if not a week? >> absolutely. i think that the science and the research is clear that masks do protect us from viruses. not only the covid virus but it protects us from other viruses as well. we've seen a very, very mild flu season and so we want to continue to think about these masks as part of our uniform. something ease to take on, easy to take off. now a plethora of ongoing research and studies and documents that are showing us that masks do not put children at risk. the single study out of pediatrics that refuted that is since rebunked and detracted. >> that's a response, sorry to interrupt, to parents and in school district meetings recently in tennessee who said the masks keep my children from getting adequate oxygen and they need oxygen to grow. >>

. >> this is cobb county, georgia. parents are pulling their children out of school.rogress tests over a decision that that district to not require masks and in california, i should say, florida, rather, where more than 10,000 students are in quarantine in one district alone. three of the state's biggest districts voted to defy the governor and are implementing mask mandates. a total of five florida school districts are requiring maskss. one mother of two says this is about keeping kids in the classroom. >> it's not for a personal choice. just -- try to -- if you look at your guidelines, it just said if everybody wears the mask, what i understand from that, there will be less quarantine. even if you are have the same positive cases, less quarantine. >> in texas the republican governor just tested positive for the coronavirus after holding a maskless indoor event. schools are either ignoring the governor's ban or finding ways around the mandate. at least one district changed the dress code to require masks. >> this is louisiana. this state school board meeting was forc

randi kaye has been following mask wars in schools and has the latest. [ chanting ] >> reporter: in cobb countyia, parents face off about masks. in this school district, masks are optional. >> our children, our choice! our children, our choice! >> mask up! >> reporter: despite the science that supports the ef-- >> from the masks, to me is more harmful than the mask, you know, of not centering mask on. >> this was the scene recently in warren county kentucky where masks are required in school. >> i have a grandchild that i have custody of and that's my choice. >> kids they'd to learn facial recognition, how to communicate. >> i think children should wear a mask also. >> reporter: in williamson county outside of nashville -- parents clashed at a recent protest. >> we know who you are. >> we know who you are. >> we know who you are. >> you can leave freely, but we will find you and we know where you are. >> you will never be allowed in public again. >> reporter: it got so heated, police stepped in. [ cheers and applause ] at the school board meeting wednesday night, masks were debated for hours, w

so, mask mandates, none at cobb county district schools right now.at is going so change. we do know that parents, many of them are not happy about it. they will be holding a rally this afternoon at the school district office and we'll keep you posted on that. >> thank you for that reporting in georgia. >>> let's focus in on texas. the situation is to dire, a tent hospital in houston is now set up. this as the governor said more than 2500 medical personnel are coming in from other states to help staffing shortages. dr. des mar walks is the medical director and health authority for the sit of austin. i know how busy you have to be. thank you for making time for us. we know on monday the austin area only have two icu beds available for covid patients, the lowest point since the start of the pandemic. what is the situation today? >> we're still experiencing a strain on system. we have very few icu beds. we have a lot of people in icu right now. and people on ventilators and we are really urging people to stay home unless something essential they have to

but in near cobb county, also one of the large districts in georgia, masks are optional there., depends on which district you go to. we saw a charter school last week start class and already have more than a dozen cases sending more than a hundred students into quarantine. clayton county schools also set to start in-person with masks. had to start two of their schools virtually because of staff quarantine. it is challenging across the board. we talked to one parent who picked up his 4-year-old daughter from this school today, her very first day of pre-k. and i asked him about the idea of possibly mandating employees in school buildings to get the vaccine. >> everything concerns me, to be honest. but now it's like there's not so much we can do. so, for me, i would love for all -- to get vaccinated. but then again, you can't force people to do what they don't want to do. mandatory vaccinations would be good, but there's only so much we can do as parents. >> reporter: we talked to another parent who actually works at a local icu. she sees the worst of it. she's telling me about th

atlanta which extends to atlanta public schools for indoor masking and you can go to the suburbs of cobb countyptional for students to have masks in school. the governor in georgia saying he opposes mask mandates and he will not put one in place. despite the mixed messaging today we did see parents and students headed in for the first day of school in metro atlanta wearing masks and feeling relief. many parents say it's been 18 months since children have had real in-person education and to have them socialized in an environment where they have protections in place is a relief. we also spoke to the superintendent who says she feels positive headed into the school year that they have safeguards in place and that the masks are needed. she said one thing that has room for improvement is the vaccination rate among her staff. rate now it's hovering at 58% to 59% in schools and she wants to get that number up as the school year progresses and that is why she's put vaccination offerings in several campuses to get teachers and staff vaccinated to try to get parents who have eligible students. inside atl

governor has said they won't put a mandate statewide, and while there is a mask update here, in cobb county, there is not. so atlanta is one of the largest school districts in the country, the students are going back in the classroom with a mask mandate, and the parents here, the ones we have spoken to are relieved about it. this is what one mom said to me on the way in. >> it is an absolute necessity. being a front line e.r. doc and the rate of the delta in kid, it is a necessity. >> reporter: you feel good about them coming back today or reservation? >> reservation, and i would have kept them home if i could have, but given what we do for profession, we can't. >> there is a significant push to get more staff here in atlanta, and somewhere between 58 and 59% of vaccines of teachers have been given their vaccinations and only 18% of the eligible students have been completely vaccinated. so it is something they hope to change in the coming weeks that. ly be offering the vaccines at several sites throughout the district with the hopes to encourage more to get vaccinated. geoff? >> hey, dr. re

>> reporter: in cobb county, georgia this afternoon parents faced off on the issue of masks.rict masks are optional. >> our children our choice. our children our choice. >> vaccinated! mask up! >> despite the science that supports the efficacy of masks, this protester believes they are dangerous for children. >> the germs that they're just having to breathe in and out day in and day out from the masks to me is more harmful than the mask -- of not having a mask on. >> reporter: this was the scene recently in warren county kentucky where masks are required in school. >> i've got a grandson that i have custody of and that is my choice. >> kids don't need to breathe carbon dioxide all day. kids need to learn facial recognition, how to communicate. >> i think children should wear a mask also. >> reporter: in williamson county, tennessee outside nashville -- parents clashed at a recent protest. >> we know who you are! we know who you are! >> you can live freely but we will find you. >> you'll never be allowed in public again! >> it got so heated police stepped in. at the school boa

. >> reporter: cobb county schools, north of atlanta, in the midst of a fiery debate over mask mandateshe classroom. friday, the district reporting a little less than dpoouble the active cases from last week. >> i don't know if there are a certain number of positive cases you're looking for, or do a certain number of kids need to die before you humble yourselves enough to admit that you're wrong. >> reporter: in alabama, every county listed as high transmission for covid-19. but still, some at a lauderdale county school board meeting wanting to make masks optional for kids. >> they're hurting our children. and these teachers that want to act like they have control of our children in dictating to them, no. >> reporter: texas governor greg abbott still battling covid-19 himself and a local mask mandate. the state's supreme court allowing local mask mandates, including those in schools, to remain in effect, at least for now. overnight, we heard from broward county public schools, saying they will keep their mask mandates in place despite the threats from the governor. boris, christi? >> na

>> reporter: in cobb county, georgia, parents faced off on the issue of masks. [ overlapping speakersl district, masks are optional. >> our children, our choice. our children, our choice. >> our kids can't be vaccinated. mask up! >> reporter: despite the science that supports the efficacy of masks, this protester believes they are dangerous for children. >> the germs that they're just having to breathe in and out day in and day out from the mask to me is more harmful than not having the mask on. >> reporter: this was the seen in warren county, kentucky, where masks are required in school. >> i have a grandson that i have custody of and that is my choice. >> kids don't need to breathe carbon dioxide all day. they need facial recognition. >> i think children should wear a mask also. >> reporter: in williamson county, tennessee, outside nashville parents clashed at a recent protest. >> we know who you are. >> we know who you are! >> you can leave freely, but we will find you and we know who you are. >> you'll never be allowed in public again. >> reporter: it got so heated, police stepped

. >> reporter: her children are going to class in cobb county, georgia, in the atlanta suburbs, wherer two different schools are making slightly different safety decisions and where parents get to decide if their children wear masks. when you went to school today what happened? >> none of the teachers were wearing masks. there was one. none of the administration was wearing masks. only probably 60% of students were wearing masks. i was livid. where are the people protecting our children after they have sacrificed for a year and a half? >> reporter: the cdc changed its guidance last week saying that because of a rise in new cases and the more contagious delta variant, that it's a good idea once again for everyone in a k through 12 school to wear a mask. >> while we desperately want to be done with this pandemic, covid-19 is clearly not done with us. >> reporter: but from state to state and school district to school district, they're making different rules and in every place, there are parents who disagree. in dekalb county, georgia, closer to atlanta, masks are required. >> it went sur

this tornado could be seen for miles as cobb county. several homes suffering damage.ed. the storms forcing o'hare airport to cancel more than 600 flights yesterday. and then there is this story. jen psaki does not want to be called nice. the white house press secretary tells vogue magazine in part, quote: it is like nails on a chalkboard the word is sexist and a little diminishing. also desire to put people in a box. critics ripping vogue for the feature after it spent four years ignoring strong females from the trump administration ohio guess i will stop telling everyone that you guys are nice. see that as offensive. brian: how dare you. jillian: i wasn't aware. steve: i'm okay with it. ainsley: okay with that? steve: her calling us nice. ainsley: you are okay with the word nice. brian: nice to be nice. steve: thank you very much for the nice report. at the beginning of the show i gave you facts about the u.s. capitol because yesterday a lot of america's kids started school. by the end of this week, 36% of america's kids will be back at school. of course, this is goi

ten miles outside of atlanta in the county of cobb students have the option to wear masks in schools. atlanta, it is a mandate. parents brought kids to school masked and ready there was a lot of enthusiasm they are seeing it as an opportunity after 18 months of virtual learning they are able to have students learn in-person with a safety precaution in place and the superintendent is feeling energized by having kids coming back to the classroom and has been preparing for this and feels like she will be able to be flexible because you can't control the virus and only do your best to protect it. heeshs here's what she had to say. >> we have a responsibility to pivot as we observe the rise in the delta variant. we all know how to pivot back to the virtual space that we did the past year. >> reporter: the superintendent also mentioning her staff right now only has a vaccination rate of 58% to 59%. she hopes the percentage of will go up as the school year begins as well as vaccinated students out of eligible students only 18% are vaccinated shep >> catie beck, thanks. >>> a statewide mask m