Published on November 12, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 12, 2020
Schools aim for January reopening if County COVID-19 rates remain low through the holidays
(Columbia County, Oregon) – With so much weighing heavily on the minds of Columbia County residents – Covid fatigue, election fatigue, which mask to wear on what day – the one thing we can all do is turn our minds to our children. The call is out for Columbia County to come together (by way of social distancing) to make it our collective priority to get our kids back to school by January 4.
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE), as part of its planned guidance and metrics review process, recently released an update to the “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” guidance, which includes updated metrics Columbia County must meet to return to in-person instruction.
According to the ODE, a key lesson from the review of national school data is that Oregon school districts can help protect student and staff health and well-being during in-person instruction when community spread is sufficiently low and when school districts strictly adhere to the health and safety protocols now in place in Oregon.
While Oregon has experienced a recent spike in Covid cases, the metrics set forth by the ODE, working closely with the Oregon Health Authority, have set goals that each county has met previously. Work conducted by public health authorities across the state, including Columbia County’s own Public Health Department, has learned many of these cases and contacts were tied to small gatherings, where practical Covid-related safety measures were too relaxed.
“The current spike appears to be driven more by social and family gatherings where people let their guard down because they are comfortable with those they are around,” St. Helens School District Superintendent Scot Stockwell said. “We are all feeling Covid Fatigue at this time, yet if we don’t maintain good social distancing and wear masks, we put all of the sacrifices we’ve already made at risk of being worthless.”
As of October 19, masks are required statewide for people age five and older in:
· All workplaces, indoor public spaces, public and private colleges and universities, and indoor and outdoor markets.
· Outdoor public spaces when physical distancing of at least six feet is not possible.
· People with a disability or medical condition may request accommodation from the business if they cannot wear one.
We’re all longing for human connection, but when it comes to small gatherings for the holidays, birthday parties, reunions, weddings, funerals, church services, family get-togethers, political events, and others, remember:
· Indoor social gatherings in Oregon are limited to 10 people.
· Face coverings are required in indoor public spaces and outdoors when you can’t keep six feet from others.
· If you feel sick, don’t go. Stay home and away from others.
· Keep it limited: limit the number of people you spend time with outside your household, and the number of gatherings you attend.
· Keep it short: cut down on the amount of time you spend with people outside your household, especially if meeting indoors.
· Stay six feet away from those you don’t live with and use waves or hand signals to greet guests.
· Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands – before and after hanging out.
· Try not to touch surfaces and disinfect them after each use.
· Limit sharing of food, drink, and utensils.
· Avoid singing, chanting, or shouting inside. If you do, wear masks, give people space, and open windows.
Columbia County Public Health Director, Michael Paul, said he and his department have heard from people in all age groups and walks of life who had admittedly failed to appreciate how contagious COVID-19 is. Others have had a household member bring the virus home.
“As you follow the metrics outlined for returning to in-person instruction, I can’t overemphasize the importance of wearing masks and practicing good social distancing if we want to bring kids back to school anytime soon,” Stockwell said.
Remember, a January school reopening is only possible if we all celebrate the holidays responsibly and keep our Covid rates low over the coming weeks.
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For more information about the “Ready Schools, Safe Learners” guidance, visit: https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/healthsafety/Pages/Planning-for-the-2020-21-School-Year.aspx.
For more information about how to plan small gatherings safely, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/considerations-for-events-gatherings.html.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more Covid-safety tips, and to see how and why the residents in Columbia County mask up: https://www.facebook.com/columbiacountyoregon.