THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2022 Page 3 Revised Covid policies in place for new school year By Adam Swift C ovid-19 has yet to totally disappear, and as long as it remains a health hazard, the public schools will have to continue to adjust their approach to the virus. At Tuesday’s School Committee meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly and Public Health Director Lauren Buck outlined the Covid policy for the fast-approaching new school year. “We hope that this guidance meets the goal of keeping kids in school as much as possible safely,” said Buck. “That’s the goal this year in terms of Covid policy. There are still some CDC guidelines that we have to abide by in terms of isolation, and these are baked into the policy.” Buck said there are some new things that will be added into the new school year’s Covid policy, as well as some things that the school will not be continuing from last year. “First of all, for a scenario of anyone who tests positive for Covid, unfortunately the CDC still requires a fi veday isolation, so we will be abiding by that with a fi ve-day isolation from the date of a positive test or the date that symptoms begin,” said Buck. Students and staff who test positive are able to return to school on day six, but they must wear a mask for the next five days. The scenario for people who have been exposed to Covid but haven’t tested positive has changed from last year. “We do not require a quarantine anymore, which is really good,” said Buck. “That means a lot more kids and staff will be able to stay in school. Obviously, the big caveat here is that it is as long as someone is asymptomatic.” If someone is exposed to Covid and is asymptomatic, they will be able to continue to come to school regardless of vaccination status. The next policy the school system is looking to implement at the beginning of the school year is symptomatic testing, which the schools didn’t do last year. “If a symptomatic student or staff member is on site, we want them to be evaluated by the school nurse, who will determine if it is appropriate to have a rapid antigen test,” said Buck. Even if someone tests negative, the student or staff member could still be sent home if the school nurse determines they are symptomatic. “If it is determined that they can stay in school, masking is strongly encouraged until the symptoms are resolved,” said Buck. If there is a positive test, the fi ve days of isolation required under the regular policy will begin. Masking will be optional for the school year, with the exception of students and staff who test positive and must mask for the fi ve days after they come out of isolation. Masking will be encouraged for any students who feel more comfortable wearing masks as well as any students or staff who are immunocompromised or have family members who are immunocompromised. Some of the policies that will not be in eff ect for the coming school year include pool testing, test and stay, and contact tracing. Turco’s letter helps sway Gov. Baker on cannabis equity bill L ast week S.3096, An Act relative to equity in the cannabis industry, became law in Massachusetts after receiving Governor Charlie Baker’s signature; however, Governor Baker decided to veto one section of the bill, Section 26. This section calls for the funding of a study that would determine the benefi ts of allowing students, potentially even elementary schoolers, to consume medical marijuana during the school day. Section 26 has been of paramount concern to Representative Jeff ery Rosario Turco (DWinthrop). Rep. Turco views this section as egregious, dangerous and absurd. “Drugs have absolutely no place at schools or around young children. Period. This is not a fact that requires a study to determine,” said Rep. Turco. “As a parent of six young kids, the idea that we would transition from ‘Just Say No’ to possibly mandating, and therefore normalizing, marijuana usage in our schools is beyond the pale. While I am deeply disappointed this atrocious section made it into the bill, I commend Governor Baker for taking swift and decisive action to remove it.” On August 15 the Massachusetts Senate referred the veto of Section 26 to its Committee on Ways and Means. In its entirely, Section 26 reads: (a) The cannabis control commission, in consultation with the department of elementary and secondary education and the department of public health, shall conduct a study on the possession, administration and consumption of medical marijuana, as defi ned in chapter 94I, at pubJEFFREY TURCO State Representative lic or private schools in the commonwealth as it relates to students who have been issued valid registration cards pursuant to said chapter 94I. The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an examination of policies on the possession, administration and consumption of medical marijuana by students at public and private schools in the commonwealth; (ii) an analysis of existing legal, regulatory and administrative obstacles to possession, administration and consumption of medical use marijuana at public and private schools in the commonwealth; (iii) a survey of available methods of consumption, administration and storage of medical use marijuana at public and private schools; (iv) recommendations on best practices for public and private schools in the commonwealth to ensure that students have access to medical use marijuana while also maintaining a safe school environment for all students; and (v) recommendations on eliminating obstacles and expanding accommodations to possess, administer and consume medical use marijuana at public and private schools in the commonwealth.” Put Your Success To Work. Your next smart decision is what to do with your success. Easy choice, multiply it. 1.50%APY* Business Money Market Ask about our concierge service. *New Money Only. Minimum Deposit to earn interest is $50,000. For existing Everett Bank Business customers, an additional deposit of $10,000 is required.
4 Publizr Home