Cobb and Marietta school districts unveil COVID-19 procedures

With Covid-19 numbers on the upswing and the 2021-2022 school year fast approaching, Cobb County Schools and the Marietta School District have unveiled their COVID-19 procedures. Their policies are raising eyebrows with parents and are contrary to a major pediatric group.

Both districts, which made masks optional for students and staff on June 7, say most of the procedures for the upcoming school year will be like last year’s procedures. In addition to being contrary to what is being urged by the American Association of Pediatricians (AAP), policies from the two have left many parents dismayed as they question the safety of their children. Educators in both districts are also questioning the positions being taken as they start the school year uncertain as to what they will face with un-vaccinated and unmasked students.

Parents and Educators both have reasons to be concerned. Reports each day reflect that COVID-19 numbers are up in Georgia and the Delta Variant is taking center stage. In addition, children under 12 are still ineligible for coronavirus vaccines, while those who are 12 and over may be in families that suffer from vaccine hesitancy.

AAP is urging a different approach to children returning to school across the country. They recommend that all staff and students who are 2 years or older wear face masks unless medical or developmental conditions prohibit their use. They are also emphasizing a layered approach that prioritizes attending school in person, while protecting students and staff from SARS-CoV-2 variants that may be more transmissible. In a statement, Sonja O’Leary, M.D., FAAP, chair of the AAP Council on School Health Executive Committee said, “We need to prioritize getting children back into schools alongside their friends and their teachers — and we all play a role in making sure it happens safely. Combining layers of protection that include vaccinations, masking and clean hands hygiene will make in-person learning safe and possible for everyone.”

AAP has urged the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to change their “relaxed” guidelines to give more protection to children as they return to school. In its recommendations that left everyone puzzled, the CDC said vaccinated teachers and students do not need to wear masks while in school buildings. However, unvaccinated students and staff should still wear masks and that school districts should look to local virus trends to determine whether to ease or strengthen their measures. Many point to this as a contradiction on the part of the federal agency that is leaving parents confused and children and educators vulnerable. Also in the backdrop are states that are moving to ban school districts from requiring masks, including Georgia. Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, and other cities have put their own mask requirements in place and have pledged to ignore Kemp’s ban.

Per the superintendents of Cobb and Marietta school systems:

·      Face coverings will remain optional for students and staff in school buildings, on school buses and at extracurricular activities.

·      Social distancing will occur when appropriate and possible. Teachers will be encouraged to maximize the available space in the classroom, but not all areas will be able to ensure six feet of physical distance.

·      Hand sanitizer will still be offered in classrooms, common areas and school buses, and daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces in school buildings and on school buses will continue.

·      Any student or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate according to Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines. Contact tracing efforts will continue, to minimize spread of the virus.

·      Any student or staff member who contact tracers identify as having been in close contact with someone who tested positive will be required to quarantine according to Georgia DPH guidelines.

·      The districts will continue to encourage, but not require, families to get their students vaccinated when eligible.

·      Communication with families about infections, close contacts and quarantines will continue either on district websites or by email, as appropriate.

·      School nurses and clinics will have the discretion to request, if they deem it necessary, that a student wear a mask while in the clinic. If the student does not want to, the student can instead quarantine until parents arrive to pick them up.

Cobb County Schools begin August 2, while Marietta City Schools begins on August 3.