City schools return to mask mandates, county says it’s up to each person

 

A sentiment of “here we go again” seems to blanket the country as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 seeks victims in this first month of 2022. The variant has been seen to spread rapidly, putting schools, businesses and government offices in sticky situations when dealing with returning employees and students from the winter break.

State epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers said just before the end of 2021 that Mississippi is headed into “a fifth wave of COVID.” Cases in the state rose rapidly with the spread of the delta variant of the virus in July and August, overwhelming the staffing and resources of some hospitals.

The state health department said cases of the highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19 had surpassed new cases of the delta variant.

In response, the Brookhaven School District officials said the school will return to a universal mask mandate to help protect teachers and students returning from the Christmas break. BSD now returns to a universal mask mandate that involves wearing a mask covering the nose and mouth when indoors or on the school bus for all teachers, staff and students. Visitors to K-12 schools, school settings and BSD offices — regardless of vaccination status — are required to mask up as well.

“The Brookhaven School District will remain in regular contact with local, state and federal health officials for the latest information and recommended practices regarding mitigating the spread of COVID-19,” the district reported on its website. “BSD will continue to provide updates to the district community when they become available.”

District Superintendent Dr. Rod Henderson said the Brookhaven School District plans to continue to monitor state and local statistics regarding the virus. While they were not experiencing an increase in flu numbers before dismissing for the holiday break — since it is flu season and health officials expected a high number of cases — the district does encourage parents and guardians to keep children at home if they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or the flu.

“Also, if their child has been tested for either, please do not send them to school until their results are confirmed,” Henderson said. He also reported that the district was returning to a universal mandatory mask wearing mandate for all students, teachers and staff. “Anyone entering a Brookhaven School District building or vehicle must wear a mask regardless of their vaccination status.”

Cases are rising quickly, with more than 17,500 cases reported statewide on Jan. 3 from the four-day weekend, the Mississippi Department of Health reported. An additional 4,840 cases were reported Tuesday, and 37 deaths. Two of those were in Lincoln County.

Test positivity rates over 25 percent in Mississippi indicate high community spread.

Nationally, hospital admissions due to COVID-19 are rising for children, the CDC reported. Currently, 5 percent of Mississippi’s children ages 5-11 and 35 percent of youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated, “but too many remain unprotected. Given these concerns, school-wide mask policies and vaccinations will help keep children, educators, families and communities safe as children return to school after the break,” CDC reports noted.

However, some good news evolved Monday as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine is suitable for children as young as 12, giving some parents a sigh of relief.

Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said parents should take advantage of this opportunity to help protect children from an ever increasing fickle virus. “With the current wave of the omicron variant, it’s critical that we continue to take effective, life-saving preventative measures such as primary vaccination and boosters, mask wearing and social distancing in order to effectively fight COVID-19,” she said in the statement.

“Throughout the pandemic, as the virus that causes COVID-19 has continuously evolved, the need for the FDA to quickly adapt has meant using the best available science to make informed decisions with the health and safety of the American public in mind.”

The FDA also said at the same time that children 12 and above can receive the Pfizer booster shots after five months, as opposed to the previously announced six months.

The Lincoln County School District has placed an informational warning about COVID-19 on its website that said the following:

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we continue dealing with COVID. All the factors used in making decisions for our procedures are complex and individualized to each situation.

“Please bear with the staff as they do the best they can to continue to allow us to have school and keep our students and staff as safe as possible. Wearing a mask is still optional at this time. There may be situations or come a time, where we need to change our procedures, but as of now, that remains an individual choice.

“Rapid testing at school is still an option as long as we have tests to provide. It has proven to be an effective measure to keep students in class safely. In the event we run out of rapid tests, parents do have the option to purchase rapid tests and give them to the nurse for testing at school.

“If you do not wish for your student to participate in at school testing, the student will be required to quarantine. The only test results accepted are those given by a physician or administered by the school nurse. At-home test results will not be accepted.”

Further, the district reported that the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) has not released new guidance for COVID procedures as of Jan. 2. In order to participate, athletes will have to follow MHSAA guidelines, which could make a student eligible to be in school, but ineligible to participate in sports.

“We have been fortunate the last few months to have a tremendous drop in COVID cases,” Superintendent David Martin. “Reports are saying we could experience an increase for the next three to five weeks, then another sharp decline. We will continue to monitor the data and each situation to make the best decision possible at that time.

“We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we all do the best we can to serve our students and have a great year.”

Lincoln County government officials have emailed employees with new CDC guidelines they’d like them to follow, including staying home for five days and returning afterward if not symptomatic, as well as wearing a mask around others for another five days. The guidelines said that anyone with a fever should remain home until the fever resolves.

 

CDC/MSDH guidelines

The CDC and the Mississippi Department of Health’s guidelines are as follows:

• If you are positive with or without symptoms, you must quarantine for five days. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after five days, you may return to work or school.

 

• If you are exposed to a person who is positive for the virus, but you have no symptoms yourself, you do not have to quarantine if testing at school. Test on Day 1 and Day 5, if possible. If symptoms develop, follow positive procedure and stay home.

 

Testing and vaccines

COVID-19 testing sites around the area include Walgreen’s COVID-19 diagnostic lab testing at 719 Brookway Blvd., Caring Hands Children’s Clinic in Monticello, Lawrence County Family Practice in Monticello and Copiah Comprehensive Health Complex in Hazlehurst, among others.

Brookhaven Wellness Center Urgent Care, 430 Hwy. 51 in Brookhaven, said the center was out of COVID-19 tests Monday, with hopes to have a new shipment of tests and monoclonal antibiotic treatment after Tuesday, said administrative clerk Jasmine Perry.

The FDA says it “determined that the protective health benefits of a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to provide continued protection against COVID-19 and the associated serious consequences that can occur including hospitalization and death outweigh the potential risks in individuals 12 through 15 years of age.

“Additionally, peer-reviewed data from multiple laboratories indicate that a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine greatly improves an individual’s antibody response to be able to counter the omicron variant,” the FDA said. “Authorizing booster vaccination to take place at five months rather than six months may therefore provide better protection sooner for individuals against the highly transmissible omicron variant.”

Pediatrician members of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MSAAP) reiterated a strong recommendation that schools and child care facilities implement school-wide mask policies for staff and students older than 2 in alignment with guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, to help keep children and staff in school.

The Mississippi Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is the statewide membership organization for pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists, boasting more than 325 members.

Pediatricians recommend all eligible staff and children receive COVID-19 vaccines, which they said reduce infections, hospitalizations and death from the virus. Currently, children age 5 and above are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, with minimal exceptions.

“We know schools have been doing a remarkable job at controlling the spread of COVID-19 while keeping kids in school where they belong,” said Dr. Anita Henderson, president of the MSAAP, in a press release.

“As students come back during the Omicron surge, we need to see the successful strategies that worked last year reinstated, as some schools relaxed these policies in the fall. Measures like school-wide mask requirements and encouraging vaccination will help keep kids in the classroom, where they can learn, play and grow.”

School leaders have authority from the Mississippi Department of Education to implement school-wide mask policies,the group stated.

“Even vaccinated students and staff should wear masks during the surge given the transmissibility of the Omicron variant. Well-fitting masks and vaccinations are key components of a layered approach to safety that also includes efforts such as improved ventilation and social distancing.

“As always, families should call their child’s doctor with questions or concerns about symptoms or COVID-19 vaccinations.”

 

MSDH suggestions

The Mississippi Department of Health has the following suggestions for all residents:

• Even if your rapid (antigen) test for COVID-19 is negative, you must isolate at home until PCR test results arrive if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are a contact of someone with COVID-19.

 

• If you are awaiting results from routine screening, but have no symptoms, you may return to work under the guidance of your employer, unless otherwise directed by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

 

• Go home and remain home after your rapid test. Stay home until you receive your PCR results, even if your rapid test is negative.

 

• Stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home to the greatest extent possible. If available, use a separate bathroom.

 

• If you must leave your home to seek medical attention, wear a mask.

 

• If you have been diagnosed as having COVID-19, please discuss with your physician or provider what steps must be taken next to support your health and well being.

 

• Do not go to work or leave your home for at least five days. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after five days, you can leave your house.

 

• Continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days.

 

• If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

 

• Let your employer know you have tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be able to return to work until your isolation period ends.

 

Stay away from everyone at your home. Do not leave your house, or come in contact with anyone, including the people you live with.

 

• If you need to be around others in your home, you should wear a face mask. This is very important to minimize the risk of spreading the disease to your family and friends.

 

Additional information for what to do when you are sick can be found by visiting the CDC website.