The United States is yet again in another coronavirus surge being backed up by the Delta variant. With schools reopened and everyone coming back to school, COVID-19 precautions are being taken. But are they enough?
Currently we have to wear masks when we’re inside and nowhere else. We need more protocols, including distancing inside classrooms and having different grades with different schedules to prevent everyone from being in one area at the same time. We can use strategies to slow down the spread of Covid, resulting in fewer cases on campus.
We started school practically like any other normal school year, until we received emails regarding Covid cases coming in and out.
“I think I was [alarmed], I mean we knew coming back and reopening has a chance that we would have Covid cases. I think that it was a predicted reality, that did indeed happen,” says Jennifer Eckert, an English teacher at SMHS.
The district has already taken quite a few initiatives to slow the spread of the Delta variant. In addition to enforcing the wearing of face masks indoors, it has given students multiple opportunities to get tested and vaccinated.
“I think our school and our district is doing its best to have schools open and have in-person learning while still being safe. I think it is all of our responsibilities to make sure we are wearing our masks and respecting each other by how we interact with each other,” says Ms. Eckert. “I hope we continue being responsible together and making sure we keep cases down.”
Overall our district has been doing a lot to maintain safety, which is definitely something to appreciate. Some ideas that the district could take into consideration include mandatory hand sanitizer use, distancing in classrooms by moving desks farther apart and staying outside whenever possible.
Another method to consider could be having 11th and 12th graders on a different time schedule than ninth and 10th graders, resulting in less people being in one place on campus at any given time.
For example, having ninth and 10th graders come out of their first period five minutes earlier could result in less crowded hallways during passing periods because a full two grades of students will still be in class, limiting unnecessary Covid spread.
“I think it is a great idea because there will be less congestion in the halls, but I guess it could be a little hectic because a lot of kids wouldn’t know where they are going. I have mixed feelings overall but I think it is good.” says freshman Sanjay Mukhyala.
I think we need to commit to slowing the rising Covid cases that are flowing in faster than ever. We have to make the small decisions that can keep many of us safer. For now we can keep ourselves safe by keeping our masks on at all times.