6 minute read
COVID plans
Students and Staff Respond to the Omicron Variant.
By Scott Glueckert
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The last thing that someone wants during the winter months is to give COVID- 19 to their relatives at a holiday party. Especially with the new omicron variant spreading, COVID-19 has the potential to become even more dangerous over the winter months. According to the NY Times, on January 12, 2021, there were 229,977 new COVID cases. As we approach the time of year when sickness is prevalent, some people are thinking about what could happen if COVID case numbers begin to rise.
As with almost any sickness, there is a possibility that COVID will get worse during the winter, especially if protocols are not followed. What will we see the District do if cases begin to increase during the winter?
In response to the possible dangers of an outbreak at school during the winter, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Tracie Noriega thinks that it could be confusing because COVID and the flu have many similar symptoms.
“I don’t know if it’s I think what’s going to be confusing, and I’m not a medical doctor right, but I think what might be hard and what might be a challenge for us is that so many cold and flu symptoms are also COVID-19 symptoms. ” Noreiga said.
Noriega does think that there will be some confusion about COVID and she also seems to think that if we continue to monitor ourselves, we should be relatively safe.
“But I do hope that you know because we’re all masked up because we have to do a daily self assessment and continue to monitor ourselves that we are more cognizant and conscious of ok well how do we feel and and at least that way we’re not just going out into the world.” Noriega said. Noriega thinks that if we monitor ourselves, we should be safe. English and Creative Writing teacher Justin Melville is not concerned about COVID as long as the death rates do not increase.
“The rate of transmission has increased with the Delta variant and now with Omicron, but, again, as long as the percentage of death doesn’t increase, I’m not worried.” Melville said. Melville seems rather calm about the new variant. Senior Dahlia Khanthavong is a bit more on edge.
“I don’t know much about this new variant, but from what I hear it sounds pretty bad and I’m hoping it stays under control, especially since it’s the holidays and people are traveling and stuff.” Khanthavong said.
Students appear to be slightly more concerned about the new variant than the teachers are. Noriega has made some hopeful observations regarding case numbers in our particular District.
“And for us that’s not the case as a school district if you take into account all of the zip codes that make up our school district, we actually are on the lower end.” Noriega said
It is clear that there is concern over COVID in general, especially surrounding the potential death toll. However, Noriega has a flexible idea of how the District will respond and they plan to follow the guidelines of the local Health Department.
“I think we continue to keep our protocols so if the you know, the Alameda Public Health Department decides to place more you know restrictions, then you know or then that is something obviously we would you know we would definitely have to adopt.” Noreiga said.
By Lilianna Agatupu
There are 1,636 students in AHS and only the cafeteria is open for students to eat due to COVID protocols. As we approach winter, some are wondering what are we going to do when rain or other inclement weather comes?
This is one of many questions AHS and SLZUSD administrators are figuring out as we move further into this school year and deeper into the pandemic. All SLZUSD schools returned to in-person learning with added safety protocols for COVID. As the weather changes and more students get vaccinated, the school and district are beginning to look at changes and adjustments to these protocols.
According to Assistant Principal Samuel McClymont, AHS takes our directions from the Alameda County health office when it comes to new protocols for winter time. They decide what is safe for us.
“Windows and doors open when feasible in order to support proper ventilation. We take all our directions from the Alameda County health office. They’re the ones who tell us basically what we have to do. It’s not a decision that’s made at Arroyo. It’s also not a decision that’s made at the San Lorenzo school district.” McClymont said.
A policy that has been altered is the cafeteria is now open for students to eat in everyday.
“That decision was made by our Maintenance Operations Department, with oversight from the Alameda County Health Office.” McClymont said.
Many are worried that they’ll get sick or be at risk of covid when weather changes. Students don’t want to put their family at risk from just going to school.
“If I were in charge, I’d make sure students were able to be inside on rainy days. Not all of us will be able to fit in the cafeteria, so we need to have at least some classrooms open during lunch. I don’t want to be outside shivering the whole time” Junior Alexis Dulan said.
Students’ main concern is not wanting to be cold. They’re concerned about the winter plans, not knowing what’s next at AHS. Junior Gieselle Castillo expresses her concern about COVID.
“I think the most scary part is not knowing what’ll happen. I know COVID is still here, but I don’t want to have to be outside the whole time during my lunch. Coming back to school was scary enough, imagine how it’ll be in the winter at school” Castillo said.
Although students miss eating in classrooms during lunch, we must make sure we’re safe. Students can be safe by getting the vaccine, which is controversial to everyone.
A press released by the California governor Gavin Newsom on October 1 states, “California becomes the first state to announce plans to require student vaccinations – adding the COVID-19 vaccine to list of vaccinations required for school.”
McClymont understands that students may feel inconvenienced by the policies, but his main priority is students not catching COVID. He wants students at AHS to be as safe as possible.
“As somebody who really truly cares about the kids on the campus, I’m always going to put safety first. It only takes a small serge, it seems like everytime we start to kind of slack off and start taking our mask off or being a little bit you know whatever, that’s when things start picking up. I’ve had COVID. I’m fully vaccinated and I had a break through case and it just really scares me. I can only imagine what the experience is for someone who’s not vaccinated, either chooses not to be or can’t be. As much as I don’t want students to be inconvenienced and not be able to eat inside classrooms, I care about their safety.” McClymont said.
Assistant Superintendent Tracie Noriega said the district understands these months will be challenging, and stressed that it is new for everyone.
“It depends on if the rain is coming in through the windows or if it’s getting really cold. I think we’ll have to see how our system handles it. This is the first time we’re in school this time of the year so a lot of it will depend on what the needs might be.” Noriega said.
