What to Expect This School Year
Season 1, Episode 16, Sep 10, 2021, 11:16 PM
Share
Subscribe
For 2021-22, Oregon schools prioritize local health decisions while adhering to state recommendations and requirements. Key tools against COVID-19 include vaccination, masks, distancing, ventilation, handwashing, and staying home when ill. Unlike last year, schools will operate full-time in-person, with remote learning only for isolation/quarantine. Testing programs (diagnostic and screening) are in place. All staff and volunteers must be vaccinated by October 18, 2021, and masks are required indoors for ages 5+.
The Delta variant, highly transmissible and causing 95%+ of Oregon cases, has led to increased hospitalizations, stressing bed capacity. While breakthrough cases in vaccinated individuals are low, and children aren't experiencing more severe illness, adult hospitalizations are up. Vaccines and masks aim to reduce exposure, isolations, quarantines, and hospitalizations, supporting in-person learning.
Despite rising cases, schools can limit spread by consistently following health and safety guidelines like masks, distancing, and handwashing. Schools were not common spread sites last year, but outbreaks occurred. With many unvaccinated individuals, schools have high potential for spread if precautions are not taken. Other states without mask mandates have seen outbreaks and closures.
Concerns about non-compliance can be reported to Oregon OSHA. Schools are improving ventilation by increasing fresh air, ensuring indoor-to-outdoor airflow, and using effective filtration. Families can help by vaccinating eligible members, wearing masks in public/carpools, limiting indoor gatherings, moving social activities outdoors, and planning for school absences.
The Delta variant, highly transmissible and causing 95%+ of Oregon cases, has led to increased hospitalizations, stressing bed capacity. While breakthrough cases in vaccinated individuals are low, and children aren't experiencing more severe illness, adult hospitalizations are up. Vaccines and masks aim to reduce exposure, isolations, quarantines, and hospitalizations, supporting in-person learning.
Despite rising cases, schools can limit spread by consistently following health and safety guidelines like masks, distancing, and handwashing. Schools were not common spread sites last year, but outbreaks occurred. With many unvaccinated individuals, schools have high potential for spread if precautions are not taken. Other states without mask mandates have seen outbreaks and closures.
Concerns about non-compliance can be reported to Oregon OSHA. Schools are improving ventilation by increasing fresh air, ensuring indoor-to-outdoor airflow, and using effective filtration. Families can help by vaccinating eligible members, wearing masks in public/carpools, limiting indoor gatherings, moving social activities outdoors, and planning for school absences.