Revisiting School Safety During Omicron
Season 1, Episode 35, Feb 18, 2022, 08:18 AM
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Oregon health and education departments offer guidance on keeping in-person learning safe during COVID-19, addressing common questions.
Safety in Schools:
Safety in Schools:
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Omicron & Spread: Following health recommendations like face coverings, physical distancing, and handwashing significantly reduces spread in group settings. Combining these tools is highly effective. - Outbreak Decisions: School districts decide closures based on ODE resources like the Oregon Data for Decisions Dashboard, considering case rates, vaccination rates, safety measures, and staffing.
- Concerns about Safety: Contact schools/school boards with concerns. ODE's Oregon.gov/readyschools site has district safety plans. Schools, with their layered measures, often have lower transmission risk than general community settings. Most student transmission happens outside school.
- Extracurricular Activities: ODE advises pausing or applying school-day safety protocols (face coverings, testing, vaccination, handwashing). Communicate with coaches if a household member gets sick to enable precautions.
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Reporting Concerns: All Oregon school districts have posted their COVID-19 safety protocols on Oregon.gov/readyschools. Complaints about non-compliance can be filed confidentially with Oregon OSHA. Questions can be emailed to ODECOVID19@ode.state.or.us.
Family Checklist for Safety (OHA/ODE):
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Vaccinate all eligible household members. - Wear face coverings in public/carpools.
- Limit gatherings with other households.
- Move social activities outdoors.
- Plan for child absences.
Vaccination is Key:
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Vaccination is crucial for student protection. Everyone 5+ should get vaccinated (free, no insurance/status requirements). - Boosters are recommended for ages 12+ (5 months after Pfizer/Moderna, 2 months after J&J).
- Vaccines are over 90% effective at preventing serious illness for kids 5+. Trials show safety and effectiveness.
- Vaccinated students generally don't quarantine unless symptomatic after exposure, allowing them to safely return to school, sports, and social activities.
- Consult a doctor for vaccine questions.
Vaccine Events (Past Dates):
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Feb. 12, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Rosewood Initiative | 16126 SE Stark St, Portland, OR - Feb. 15, 2 - 8 p.m. | Lloyd Center | 1260 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR
- Feb. 17, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Lloyd Center | 1260 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR
More events: multco.us/vaccineclinics.
Accessibility: OHA provides information in alternate formats. Contact the Health Information Center at 1-971-673-2411, 711 TTY, or COVID19.LanguageAccess@dhsoha.state.or.us