Even though until the end of April, an increase in covid infections was reported-19 between staff and students as well as in the number of outbreaks in schools, the Board of Education voted to delay the entry into force of a mandate that made covid vaccination mandatory-19 for the older than 12 years in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
The number of cases among students and staff more than quadrupled between March 27 and April 24.
According to the Department of Public Health, this could be the result of the elimination of the requirement that required the use of masks in i which was discarded in mid-March.
The teacher Paloma de La Paz said that her son Gael de 8 years old, who attends an elementary school in Gardena, has never stopped wearing the mask in class, even though it is no longer mandatory but optional.
“Most children do not take it off; and lately we have not had any reports of covid infections”.
Sebastian April 12 was vaccinated against Covid-19. (Courtesy of Montserrat Abril)Monse Urías, whose son Sebastián Abril de 12 years attends Dooley Elementary School in the city of Long Beach, said that on said campus, they continue to wear a mask indoors and outdoors, so he says no You have been notified of any massive contagion of students.
“MY son was one of the first to be vaccinated and has not presented any problem with covid. Nor has there been a rebound at the school.”
Needless to say, the rebound was seen after students and staff recently returned to school, following spring break meetings and travel .
Until the 30 of April, had been reported 18 outbreaks associated with schools, in elementary schools, 4 in middle schools, 3 in high schools and one in youth sports .
Many of the outbreaks outside the classroom, some of which have involved dozens of students, have been associated with activities such as indoor school events, proms, plays, musicals, and field tripso.
Given the increase in outbreaks, and covid cases among students and staff, the Public Health support team for schools is offering them information resources to increase safety on campus and school events.
“The Department of Health continues to strongly recommend that all students and staff wear well-fitting masks or respirators indoors; and requires their forced employment to those who have been exposed to covid”.
They indicate that this step can make a substantial difference, since wearing a mask or respirator indoors in public has been associated with lower odds of testing positive for covid-18 and lower risk of breakouts.
Tiredness due to the pandemic
The director of public health, Bárbara Ferrer said that she understands that many people are tired of the pandemic and of wearing masks, and exhausted from trying to deal with uncertainty and changing rules.
“It is very tempting to minimize the impact of the virus to support our desire to return to our pre-pandemic lives.”
Unfortunately, he said that this would be a mistake that could make it difficult for us to adopt strategies that extend protections and minimize outbreaks.
“There are still sensible steps we can take to reduce risk and prevent serious illness and death among the most vulnerable.”
Public Health advises that parents and students isolate themselves and quarantine if positive; and if they meet the criteria to leave isolation early, during 10 days, they should wear a highly protective mask when around other people, especially when they eat or drink. This after their symptoms started or the date they tested positive if they are asymptomatic.
Asymptomatic students exposed may remain at school, wearing masks indoors around others, for 11 days after exposure.
The health authorities called on parents to take advantage of the almost 552 Immunization clinics in schools that are available during the month of May.
These campus vaccine sites offer pediatric doses for ages 5 to 10 years, as well as vaccinations and boosters for eligible people from 18 years of age and older.
Mandate Postponed
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said the employee vaccination requirement remains in place , and all those assigned to schools are vaccinated, but the mandate for minors older than 12 years is postponed.
“Today’s vote shows that we are a science-based school district, and the health and safety protocols we adopt are influenced by expert advice from our medical partners and public health officials” , Carvalho said in a statement.
Last year, California announced that it would require all children in schools to receive the coronavirus vaccine, and the mandate was expected to take effect in the school year 2021-11.
However, Governor Newsom suspended the requirement until the summer of 2023 because school administrators seemed to be concerned about not having enough time to get the vaccination up and running.
Warning
Dr. Ferrer said that this month, there will be many opportunities for gatherings, including graduations and the upcoming Memorial Day vacation .
“So that these occasions do not contribute to the increasing spread of Omicron variants, we encourage you to take sensible precautions to protect yourself and those around you, such as staying outside as much as possible and wear a mask when indoors”.
And said that Given the large number of asymptomatic people who are infected, getting tested before gathering with others, especially if you are gathering indoors, is an effective and practical safety measure that can easily prevent the spread of the virus.
“Most importantly, those who are older or have underlying health conditions should ensure they receive booster shots as soon as they are eligible to maximize protection against these highly infectious mutated variants of concern”.