(Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

KINGSFORD/IRON RIVER — Local health officials Friday lifted the indoor mask order for kindergarten through sixth-grade students while in a school-related setting, saying the 2022 state budget bill contains language that could put department funding at risk if the mandate remained in place.

In a news release, the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department stated it was “regretfully” rescinding the order only five days after it took effect Monday for all schools in the two counties, despite believing this still was the best option to deal with a rising number of COVID-19 cases in the area.

“The decision to issue the mask order was not based on a political platform; the decision was based on current local data and guiding public health principles,” said Daren Deyaert, DIDHD health officer. “The decision came after exhausting all other options while considering public health’s best interest.”

But the DIDHD learned Wednesday the fiscal year 2022 state budget, Senate Bill 82, includes a provision that “any health department that has issued an emergency order in attempt to combat COVID-19 will be negatively impacted. The funds appropriated for essential local public health services will be withheld,” according to the DIDHD news release.

Public health services that could be affected include immunizations, infectious disease control, sexually transmitted disease control and prevention, hearing screening, vision services, food protection, public water supply, private groundwater supply and on-site sewage management.

“We understand without this funding, we will lose important programs along with several staff positions. These programs have been a staple in our community for the last 85 years,” Deyaert said. “It has been a very difficult decision to be forced to choose between what is best for the public’s current health situation vs. the future of our essential public health programs that will hopefully continue to serve our community for years to come.”

The budget bill has been approved and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has indicated she will sign it early next week, according to the DIDHD.

Whitmer’s office, however, said Friday she will declare the mask order ban unenforceable.

Spokesman Bobby Leddy confirmed next week’s move in a statement, calling the proposed restriction “dangerous.”

“Gov. Whitmer has always said that she would protect public health measures that save lives and oppose any attempts to undermine or restrict basis lifesaving actions throughout this pandemic,” he said.

The DIDHD decision means local school districts again will have to decide whether they want masks to be worn. Before the DIDHD’s order Sept. 16, only the Norway-Vulcan School Board had voted to require masks for grade six and younger students and adults around them.

County commissioners could issue a mask order as well on a majority vote from both Dickinson and Iron county boards, according to the DIDHD.

“Masks continue to be an important tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There are numerous studies that indicate that consistent and correct mask use effectively and safely prevents the spread of COVID-19,” said Ruth Manier, community health services director.

But requiring the masks has sparked protests from parents who contend they should be the ones deciding what’s best for their children. They claim the face masks are uncomfortable for students and inhibit learning and social interaction in school, while providing what they say is questionable protection from spreading the virus.

The West Iron School Board on Sunday voted to defy the DIDHD’s mask order, even before this latest development. A group of parents and their children stood outside the DIDHD’s Kingsford office Monday with signs opposing the mask order, some calling for Deyaert to be ousted.

In the news release, the DIDHD stated it also “has received an overwhelming amount of support, not only in recent weeks but since the beginning of the pandemic. Staff have been challenged in many ways, but they have remained dedicated to their mission to protect public health.”