By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]
In anticipation of the start of face-to-face classes, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently released its COVID-19 guidance for the 2021-22 school year, which applies to both public and private schools and follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
The key message from both CDPH and CDC is that schools can and should be open for students to receive full-time face-to-face education beginning in the fall.
The COVID-19 School Guide to the CDPH details safety levels for campuses, and includes vaccination protocols, testing, and health and hygiene principles.
Of note, the schools will continue to work with the San Mateo County Health Department and other health organizations to increase the number of vaccinations in the county.
Schools also have a variety of options for assessing students and staff and will be refining their assessment plans over the next few weeks. In addition, schools may expand health protocols such as hand washing and others from last year.
San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Magee commented that "schools have become adept at implementing safety protocols and can extend many of those measures through the 2021-22 cycle."
Unlike CDC guidance, CDPH requires all TK-12 students and adults to wear facemasks indoors when sharing spaces with students.
There will be exemptions for students who are not able to wear a face shield, and its use will not be required outdoors.
Given that the global pandemic is not over, the Delta variant remains a concern, and many students are still unvaccinated, CDPH stated that universal masking provides important and necessary protection and prevents children from feeling singled out because of their vaccination.
In a statement, the San Mateo County Office of Education said universal masking makes it possible for CDPH to eliminate physical distance requirements, which had been a key barrier to all students returning to full-time in-person learning last year.
According to CDPH, "recent evidence indicates that face-to-face education can occur safely without minimum physical distance requirements when other mitigation strategies are fully implemented ?e.g., use of face masks."
Similarly, they noted that facemasks may not be required for the entire school year, however, CDPH said it will continue to assess conditions on an ongoing basis and will determine no later than November 1, 2021, whether to update its face protection requirements.
"After a challenging year for student mental health, keeping students in classrooms to engage directly with teachers and staff are top priorities. Universal use of facemasks will help schools keep all students regardless of their immunization status in school. We need to start school strong this fall," said Superintendent Magee.
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