Have you seen a recent Covid surge at your school since returning from Winter break? When we returned, there were only a few students that were currently quarantined due to Covid; however, as the week progressed more and more students were sent home.
The flu hit us hard right before Christmas break, and now, Covid is taking over. I was out of work on Monday, not feeling well due to what I suspected was asthma flare up from our recent move and touching dusty items. What I discovered was that there were many teachers out on Monday, as well, and some that went home after they were at school.
I received a call to come in early the next day to get a Covid test. If negative, I could stay. If positive, I was going home. Our entire middle school was placed on E-learning (virtual). Teachers who were well, had to come to school to teach virtually. Those who were sick had to teach from home. Oh my! We were not the only middle school in the district to be shut down. In fact both middle schools and two elementary schools were as well due to the large number of staff and children with Covid. Somehow, I think that each time we find a good groove, we run into these issues. More than that, I believe this new Covid strain is worse than what we started with in the beginning. Those that are vaccinated, those that recently had it, all of these are catching it again. One student has it for the 3rd time this school year. A friend of mine, this is her 2nd time having it in less than a month. This new strain is contagious. Not as much in the way of lung involvement, but definitely upper respiratory (nose, throat, and ears).
We are supposed to be back in person on Tuesday, although I don’t know how many students we will have in class. Plus, our school district has decided to enforce a mask mandate starting Tuesday. I can’t wait to hear the fall out from all of that. I guess some will go and complain to the governor about it stating that it violates their rights. Even with Covid being a threat, I’ve seen so many students at school sick. They were sick with the flu prior to Christmas, but at school because their Covid test was negative.
I don’t know about you, but I’m still longing for the day when we have normal.
