Putnam County Schools’ latest decisions to not implement an immediate mask mandate, and to leave contact tracing and quarantining up to the health department, are drawing criticism from West Virginia’s education unions. The county will only mandate face masks if the high school grades have 25% of kids with COVID-19, or if grades K-8 reach 15%. Until they reach those thresholds, masks are optional and the county will no longer be conducting contact tracing. The WVEA believes Putnam County’s decision is a violation of state rules, according to WCHS TV. The Putnam County Health Department said it is waiting on guidance from the school system on how to proceed under this new decision. The new measure took effect Tuesday, Sept. 28.