Lots of San Diego County’s faculty districts have reopened to some college students on-campus, and all however two have plans to reopen within the coming weeks.
Now, county officers are attempting to hint any COVID-19 potential exposures on-campus.
On Wednesday, Eric McDonald, the county’s chief epidemiologist, stated during the county briefing that college students aged 19 and youthful are seeing a climb in COVID-19 instances. Whereas county leaders stated there isn’t any single occasion that is pushing this rise, they do not need individuals to have their guard down.
“Like all dad and mom, I would like each baby to be again at school and lecturers need the identical factor,” guardian Heather Dugdale instructed NBC 7 on Thursday. “What I am most fearful about proper now’s: We’re going an excessive amount of too quick.”
Different dad and mom disagree and wish full faculty reopenings to occur sooner. NBC 7 has reported on a number of protests by parents with children in the San Diego Unified School District calling for colleges to permit college students to return on-campus.
Dr. Paul Schalch Lepe, whose experience is concentrated on the ears, nostril and throat, stated it’s uncommon for youngsters to be contaminated with important instances of COVID-19 however that they’re simply as vulnerable and may unfold the virus.
“Extra time, extra presence, will imply extra publicity, and extra publicity and effectively, , with out query, [that] results in extra infections,” Schalch Lepe stated.
The county is encouraging college students and employees to observe security precautions, corresponding to carrying masks and bodily distancing. That manner, dangers might be considerably lowered.
“How a lot are you able to management what high-schoolers will do throughout and after faculty versus youthful youngsters that perhaps observe instructions a bit extra intently?” Schalch Lepe stated.
There are additionally issues about long-term coronavirus results. Schalch Lepe stated that, whereas they’re rarer for youngsters, they’ll nonetheless happen.
“It is nonetheless considerably of a raffle to reopen and say, ‘Let’s expose individuals,’ ” he stated. “Most will likely be positive, however there will likely be a few of these unlucky instances as effectively.”
