Hall County Schools nearly doubles the previous peak in COVID-19 cases

The CDC officially recommends universal masking in areas of high transmission such as Hall County, and even did so in the May report, recommending the “universal and correct use of masks” as a “relatively inexpensive and easy-to-implement strategy”.

The report also found that “the incidence of COVID-19 in schools that required mask use by teachers and staff was 37% lower”.

When asked in an interview why the district has not mandated masking of staff, Schofield said, “We certainly do not see ourselves as custodians of adult decisions. … I don’t see myself as the father of a 40-year-old and tell them that you wear a mask because you haven’t been vaccinated … huge difference between an 8-year-old and a 40-year-old who has a certain free will and a certain amount Possibility to make some decisions yourself. ”

Schofield said he has “tremendous empathy for what our healthcare workers are going through,” but added, “I think what people are trying to get the point into is,” Oh, when schools have a mask we wouldn’t have a challenge. ‘ And there is simply no data yet to suggest that schools are a vector of diffusion. … So once again, great sympathy for our healthcare workers. But we don’t see the numbers on the basis that our school leads to more people in the hospital system. ”

“Many of our team members choose to wear masks,” said district spokesman Stan Lewis in an email. “The district recommends employees wear masks when social distancing is not an option. However, masks are still optional. In addition, all of our teachers have had the opportunity to get vaccinated. ”Lewis said it was difficult to estimate how many employees would choose to be masked.

Schofield has strongly recommended vaccination for all school staff. Lewis estimates that 50% of employees are fully vaccinated, although employees are not required to report their vaccination status.

The district will close its schools for a mental health / voluntary vaccination day on September 20. The decision was twofold, said Schofield.

“No. 1 is we have four weeks in the school year and people are already exhausted,” and the day off will “give our people an opportunity to catch their breath,” he said continue to believe that vaccination is the only lever that can make a significant difference in the long run, and we want to keep giving people the opportunity to think about it. ”

At its most recent meeting, the Education Committee rejected Schofield’s proposal to pay a payment of $ 400 to any employee proven to have been fully vaccinated before October 15.

Governor Brian Kemp announced Monday that State Health Benefit Plan members, which include school staff, are eligible for a vaccination incentive in the form of a US $ 150 Visa Gift Card or US $ 480 Health Care Credit.

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