Lawmakers in Kentucky, many of whom were not wearing masks, voted in a special session on Thursday to repeal a statewide mask rule in public schools and delegate masking authority to local school boards

On the third and last day of the session called by the Democratic governor to deal with the epidemic, the masking measures became a heated topic. Governor Andy Beshear vetoed sections of the measure that would have repealed the mask regulations in K-12 schools and child-care institutions.

Republican lawmakers promptly overrode his vetoes, bringing the statewide mask regulations to an end. The governor had already issued statewide mask orders and recently stated that he believes another mask order is necessary to combat the current spike.

Beshear took unilateral steps to create statewide virus regulations during the pandemic, claiming that his efforts saved lives. His measures were criticized by Republicans as being excessively broad and severe.

Kentucky’s hospitals are currently dealing with a record number of COVID-19 infections, prompting the special session. Only 90 adult intensive care beds were available statewide on Thursday, according to Beshear. He stated that almost two-thirds of Kentucky’s hospitals are experiencing significant staffing shortages.  He added that he plans to deploy more than 300 Kentucky National Guard troops to 21 hospitals to assist medical personnel.

Opponents argued that removing the mask requirement would increase the danger of COVID-19 infection among children and school workers. Sen. Karen Berg, a Democrat, said the government was abdicating its responsibilities by leaving the weight of deciding mask policy on school boards.

“I think you are asking for fights in school board meetings, where parents are going to be intimidated, where school board members are going to be intimidated,” Berg said.