Opinion: Reopening schools safely, Part III

Recently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) gave guidance to reopening schools safely. This guidance was intended to complement previous toolkits and resources that have been provided. Over the next couple of weeks, I will continue to share information from the CDC as well as Team Selma’s plan to Return to Excellence by reopening our schools safely.

Operating schools safely requires that we pay close attention to the CDC’s Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Schools. Regardless of community spread, there are five mitigations recommended. They are 1) Universal and correct use of masks; 2) Physical distancing; 3) Handwashing and respiratory etiquette; 4) Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities; and 5) Contact tracing. Previously, I addressed the first four strategies and will focus on the final recommendation now.

During the early part of the pandemic, there was much focus on contact tracing. It was intended to slow the spread by using isolation and quarantine when exposure to a positive case was known. Admittedly, this did not happen as effectively as most would have liked. Health departments, due to no fault of their own, were not equipped or staffed to conduct the case investigations necessary for consistent contact tracing.

For schools, contact tracing will require seating charts and routine practices. If a scholar or adult tests positive, schools should be able to determine which other people were exposed using the 6/15 rule. If someone was within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes, then exposure is likely.

The good news is that vaccinated adults will no longer have to quarantine as previously recommended. We will share more about the specific requirements for Team Selma within the next week. Check out www.cdc.gov/coronavirus for more information.

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Currently, we are preparing our buildings to Return to Excellence. Inspections began last week and will continue until all buildings have been visited and all safety and health concerns are addressed.

A number of meetings and opportunities to learn more about our safe reopening of schools will occur over the next week leading up to Spring Break. Check out our website and social media outlets to stay connected. Families, please know that your child’s school can provide you the best and most up to date information.

As always, let me close by reminding everyone that we must continue to Do Our Part Everyday. Join our DOPE campaign and let’s stop the spread of Covid-19. Thanks so much to the dedicated professionals of Vaughn Regional Medical Center, Rural Health, Wallace Community College of Selma, the City of Selma, Main Street Family Care, our own Team Selma nursing staff and all others for continuing to support testing sites and vaccination clinics.

Many of our Team members received our first dose of the vaccine four weeks ago at Bloch Park and it was a smooth, organized process. We are receiving the second dose this week. Yes, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel but we must remain vigilant in the meantime by continuing to follow CDC guidelines and common sense. Stay safe and be DOPE!

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org