On 2.23.22, the “COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Local Health Departments for K-12 Schools” (NJDOH Link) was released and in reviewing the document, there are a few points that we would like to highlight.
First and most importantly, “this guidance document outlines NJDOH COVID-19 public health recommendations for school settings.” The suggestions listed in this document are recommendations, NOT mandates or requirements for NJ school districts. Your local school district may or may not adopt some or all of these guidelines as policy and NOW is the time to share your thoughts & opinions with your Superintendent and Board of Education members.
Highlighted below are important points from the 19-page document:
Fully vaccinated students/"up to date” means being fully vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 AND having received all recommended additional doses, including booster doses when eligible. “Fully vaccinated” means being at least two weeks past completion of a primary vaccination series.” (Page 2)
Masking (Page 2-3): School administrators should be prepared for the emergence of new variants or substantial waning immunity that could once again lead to greater morbidity, mortality, and disruption, and require returning to additional mitigation measures.(Mask loophole based on the criteria below).
During periods of elevated community transmission – when COVID-19 Activity Level Index (CALI) is elevated, NJDOH recommends universal masking in regions with:
CALI score of high (Orange) – schools should strongly consider universal masking for all students and staff, especially if there is difficulty incorporating other layered prevention strategies (e.g., adequate ventilation, adequate spacing of students)
CALI score of very high (Red) – schools should require universal masking for all students and staff.
When illness occurs in school – students or staff who become ill with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 while in school should wear a mask until they leave the premises.(Masking “ill” people to visually indicate they are ill!?)
During Test to Stay (TTS combines contact tracing and serial testing to allow asymptomatic school associated close contacts who meet the criteria for quarantine and do not test positive for SARS-CoV-2 to continue in-person learning) students participating in “Test to Stay” should be required to mask. (If you consent to TTS, your child will be tested multiple times in school & masked for the duration of the process, up to 10 days).
Masks/Buses (Page 3): Masks must be worn by all passengers on buses, including school buses, regardless of vaccination status per CDC’s Federal Order.
Sports/Extracurricular Activities/Testing (page 5): Schools are strongly encouraged to use screening testing for student athletes and adults (e.g., coaches, teachers, advisors) who are not up to date with vaccinations (*DISCRIMINATORY*) and participate in and support these activities to facilitate safe participation and reduce risk of transmission. If resources are limited, prioritize screening testing for those not fully vaccinated.
When the COVID-19 risk level of community transmission is very high (RED), it is recommended that schools:
• Limit participation in extracurricular activities to those students and staff who are up to date with COVID-19 vaccination *DISCRIMINATORY POLICY*
Tell your Legislators Not to Exclude Vaccine-Free Students
• Conduct COVID-19 screening testing of students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, twice weekly for participation in all extracurricular activities.
Sick Sibling/Quarantine: Siblings (who are not up to date with vaccinations) of a student who meets COVID-19 Exclusion criteria should be excluded from school until the symptomatic individual receives a negative test result. If the symptomatic individual tests positive, the sibling will need to quarantine.
**Individuals with an alternative diagnosis: Evaluation by a health care provider may be necessary to differentiate between COVID-19 and alternative diagnoses. Clinical evaluation and/or testing for COVID-19 may be considered for ANY of the symptoms listed above, depending on suspicion of illness from a health care provider. Testing is strongly recommended, especially when there are multiple unlinked cases in the school and during periods of moderate and high levels of community transmission. (Will a Physician’s note be necessary to return to school if your child has ANY “COVID-like” symptoms?)
Exposed close contacts who have no COVID-19 compatible symptoms and who are not up to date with vaccinations should be excluded from school and(*DISCRIMINATORY* page 11) Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after the last close contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of the exposure is considered day 0.
Exposed close contacts who have no COVID-19 symptoms in the following groups do NOT need to be excluded from school (only vaccine-free/not “up-to-date” are recommended to be excluded from school *DISCRIMINATORY*):
• Up to date with vaccination.
• COVID-19 positive within the last 90 days (viral test).
Masking: **Regardless of whether they meet criteria for school exclusion, all exposed close contacts should:
• Wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of their last close contact with someone with COVID-19 (the date of last close contact is considered day 0) (Another visual indicator of possible “illness”).
Is your NJ school district planning to adopt these recommendations as policy?
Here are some ACTION STEPS to complete:
1. Email your Superintendent & the Board of Education members to implore them to reject these discriminatory policies and remind them that the NJ “Public Health Emergency” has ended, and COVID-19 mitigation strategies need to end!
2. Attend your Board of Education meeting. NOW is the time to get in front of your BOE to voice your concerns about this NJDOH "recommendations" before they vote to adopt it as policy.
Write your representatives TODAY and tell them to Support S1200!
