Written by: Amanda Angulo
Last year, schools had to close classrooms when one student tested positive for COVID-19, but their protocols have become much more complicated lately and confusing, to say the least.
Last week, California announced that it will require teachers and staff, K-12, to get vaccinated or go through weekly testing for COVID-19. No such requirement exists for students, but they are still required to wear their masks in classrooms throughout the state— yet another glaring example of how Democrats are restricting the freedom of choice for our teachers and parents.
Several schools officials have been struggling to navigate through reopening due to trying to stay up-to-date with recommendations and guidance on who has to leave campus and quarantine whenever someone tests positive for COVID-19. Corrine McCarthy, the school nursing coordinator for the County Office of Education, can’t recall how many times her office changed requirements due to state and county guidance updates. McCarthy has stated that she cannot keep up with how often her office has updated its policies based on changing state and county guidance.
Before the current protocols, if someone had COVID and came into contact with someone else, they would shut down classrooms or even the entire school. Additionally, they had to notify parents of positive cases, which led to significant staffing issues and closures in many districts.
However, that is no longer the case. Now protocols, and the matter of quarantine, will apply to individuals instead of entire classrooms and schools. Yet, many factors such as exposure, symptoms, and tests influence who has to quarantine and for how long. Yes, there are inconsistencies with quarantine periods. Some could stay home for 8 days, whereas someone else must remain home for 11.
Corrine McCarthy has indicated one consistency; if you are vaccinated, you do not have to quarantine. There are many nuances, and more are sure to come. As of right now, students, parents, and administration remain confused, with constant changes transpiring in a cyclical pattern by the Democrat majority.
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