By Brooke Kinebrew
Source: KSBW8
Photo / Image Source: Unsplash,
The new school year comes during a summer surge of COVID-19 cases. In Santa Cruz County, educators have a few protocols to help mitigate the spread.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —
The new school year comes during a summer surge of COVID-19 cases.
In Santa Cruz County, educators have a few protocols to help mitigate the spread.
Just four years ago, parents were worried about sending their kids back to school because of COVID-19, but now Santa Cruz County leaders say there's no major concern going into this school year and that they aren't anticipating any major COVID-19 outbreaks.
Parents we spoke with feel good about sending their kids back to school this year compared to four years ago.
"Our feeling is one of comfort," said Carrie Trumbull. "We're trying to get back to some type of normalcy."
Another parent whose children attend a school in Santa Cruz County agrees.
"Honestly, as a parent, I'm not worried at all," said Linda Rodriguez. "I'm so confident with this school and their procedures for cleaning, keeping the school clean."
'It's just been a nightmare': Funeral held for California mother of two missing kids
Some school districts throughout Santa Cruz County are already back in school; others are starting soon.
"We haven't seen a big impact of COVID impacting the attendance in our schools at this point, but we're just starting," said Dr. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County Board of Education superintendent.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Education says it encourages students to get tested if they feel symptoms.
Students are permitted to return to school 24 hours after their fever and other symptoms go away rather than waiting five to 10 days.
Schools in Santa Cruz County provide personal protection equipment, including face coverings for students to wear while recovering from COVID-19.
It's recommended that students wear the coverings for up to 10 days. COVID-19 tests are also provided.
"We're monitoring the current numbers and the trend does look like it's coming back down, and so we're hopeful that that's the case," Sabbah said. "It's been four years since the pandemic and so we feel that our school community is really prepared. If the numbers do continue to go up, we're going to continue to follow CDPH guidance and provide those recommendations and PPE to families."
Sabbah says some of the COVID-19 tests provided at the schools by the state may be expired, but are still approved by the Food and Drug Administration, so he doesn't want parents to worry.
Parents are happy to send their kids to school, gaining back some of the time that was lost.
"Four years ago, it was pretty sad because my daughter was in kindergarten, and she had to stop coming to school," Rodriguez said.
As students head back to school, the county says children who haven't been vaccinated for COVID-19 are still eligible to receive vaccinations.
Have you taken the vaccine? Were you mandated to? By whom?
Share the wealth of health with your friends and family by sharing this article with 3 people today.
If this article was helpful to you, donate to the Shidonna Raven Garden and Cook E-Magazine Today. Thank you in advance.
Comments