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7-28-2021 5:34am
Schools Starting but under what Covid-19 rules? Confusion, Frustration and a Hot Mess
Chris Edwards
Editor
Alamogordo Public Schools are about to begin. July 28th and 29th is the new teacher orientation day. July 30th is a workday for all staff. Friday August 6th marks the first official day of school for all students K thru 12th grade. But confusion abounds concerning masks mandates and student shots in the prevention of Covid-19.
Otero County is rated as a VERY HIGH risk factor for rate of infection due to the low numbers of individuals who are vaccinated. Per the New Mexico Department of Public Health only 40.5% of the population has had 1 dose of the vaccine and only 34.4% of the county's population is fully immunized.
Per the New Mexico Department of Health...
"In Otero County, New Mexico, 27,316 people (40.5%) have received at least one dose and 23,239 (34.4%) are fully vaccinated. Anybody who is at least 12 years old is eligible to be vaccinated. Fewer than 0.001% of people who have received a dose experienced a severe adverse reaction."
Confusion, Frustration and a Hot Mess
AlamogordoTownNews.com spoke with a teacher who asked to remain anonymous who said she was "beyond frustrated going into the new school year" and is wondering if it is even worth it to teach anymore. She said, "look, I love the kids but the way it is going masks do they wear them do they not, shots, those without put us teachers at risk, and I have to create three sets of lesson plans and teach all classes in 3 versions, live in the classroom, online through google and virtual learning, it's just to overwhelming and too much for an experienced teacher. I can't even imagine being a new teacher and getting into this mess. It's just a mess and as always it falls on the teachers. Parents don't understand the pressure we are under and then administration doesn't always have our (the teachers) backs so what do we do?"
That sentiment was not isolated. We spoke with 5 teachers, all asked to speak without names for fear of reprisal from administration or the public and all echoed similar frustration.
Public Health Guidance
KALH-FM radio is on the case investigating and is also trying to get to the bottom of the health guidance confusion and investigating what the Alamogordo Public Schools approach is going to be to the new school year. KALH-FM radio provided the AlamogordoTownNews.com the following statement from Dr. Kenneth Moore - Interim Superintendent Alamogordo Public Schools:
"We just finished reviewing the toolkit and writing our guidance to release tomorrow, then received the following from PED just now which leads us to believe they'll be changing their guidance again. We're as eager as everyone for definitive guidance from NMPED with school starting next Friday. We will get the word out asap."
Per KALH-FM radio, Chris Luchini of the Libertarian Party of New Mexico issued the following response to the New Mexico Public Education Department existing guidelines...
"I support the science-based PED stance. This wouldn't be a question if all schools weren't government institutions."
Of course, Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin weighed in, in his typical fashion of as expected per KALH-FM radio, " I just think it's such a huge overreach by government."
The New Mexico Public Education Department has released new guidance on masks and COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming school year.
Here are some of the key takeaways:
- All individuals in elementary schools regardless of vaccination status are required to wear a mask while: in a school building, on school transportation or at an indoor school-sponsored event.
- Secondary school students, staff and volunteers who are fully vaccinated and provide documentation of full vaccination are not required to wear masks.
- Secondary school students, staff and volunteers who are unvaccinated (and those who do not provide documentation of full vaccination) are required to wear masks while: in a school building, on school transportation or at an indoor school-sponsored event.
- Masks are not required outdoors for any individual.
- Unvaccinated spectators are required to wear masks at indoor school events' however, they are not required to provide evidence of vaccination status.
- Schools must identify the process for ensuring compliance with mask requirements, including posting signage in school facilities, announcing mask requirements at events and other necessary means for enforcement.
- Schools must advise individuals who have a condition or are taking medications that weaken their immune system to talk with their healthcare provider about steps that can be taken to manage the health risks.
Per KOB News...
“In-person learning for New Mexico children is my top priority,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. “And with safety guidelines and unobtrusive health requirements in place, it can happen safely – and for the well-being and growth of our children, it must happen."
“Until vaccinations are available to children of every age, it will be incumbent on each of us, in school environments, to do everything we can to minimize risk – and that includes face-coverings,” Lujan Grisham said.
The new guidelines also allow school-related events like assemblies, dances and award ceremonies, but with masking and social distancing requirements for unvaccinated individuals.
According to the NMPED, schools must maintain a voluntary student surveillance testing program with a weekly goal of testing 25% of unvaccinated students participating in sports and other extracurricular activities.
All schools must also test 25% of unvaccinated staff members each week.
To see the full New Mexico guidelines from the state advisory click here:
In the meantime stay tuned, wear a mask, get shots, wash hands often and let's be safe with the variant out there.
Story Sourced: AlamogordoTownNews.com, KALH-FM Radio, KOB News, New Mexico Department of Public Health
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