Updates on COVID-19 and monkeypox

NEWS

COVID-19, monkeypox cause no new adaptations of new health protocols

Finnegan Courtney ’23 TV Show Producer (he/him)

With the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the emergence of the monkeypox virus in recent months, many schools have been forced to adjust their health protocols. However, Westport’s protocols will remain as they were last year. “At this time, monkeypox is not widespread, and I don’t anticipate an impact in the school setting,” Suzanne Levasseur, Westport Public Schools’ Supervisor of Health Services, said. Monkeypox, now considered a formal outbreak by the CDC, can cause painful boils and cysts on an infected body, in addition to flu-like symptoms. In extreme cases, the virus can be fatal. According to the CDC, there have been 82 reported cases of monkeypox in Connecticut, and local health officials are warning families to be vigilant. “Children are very active, social and tactile, so spread in settings like schools and day care facilities is something we need to consider,” Paulo Verardi, a UConn virologist and spe-

“cialist in pox viruses, said in an August interview with CT Insider, “par ticu larly if the outbreak continues to evolve and infections become more widespread in diverse populations.”

Levasseur believes this year will be less strict in regard to quarantining protocols.

“In terms of COVID-19, we ended the school year with close to a pre-pandemic status,” Levasseur said. “Due to [recent] new recommendations from the CDC, I anticipate this will continue […] I don’t anticipate the need to quarantine as we have in the previous years.”

Students harbor mixed feelings toward monkeypox and

COVID-19, with some feeling concerned over the viruses’ spread while others feel fatigued from the protocols which have been in place for the past three years. At this time, monkeypox “I’m kind is not widespread, and I of just don’t anticipate an numb to it at this impact in the school point setting,” - Suzanne Levasseur Supervisor of Health Services [...] it’s been t w o years since COVID started, so it doesn’t all feel too special,” Jacob DiDonato ’23 said. Overall, Levasseur feels as though the district is more prepared for both diseases coming into this school year, compared to the response in previous years. “I think we have learned so much over the last two years and if the need arises to pivot back to some restrictions, we will be ready. We know what works,” Levasseur said. “I think that everyone is happy to get as close to pre-pandemic status as possible and looking forward to the upcoming year.”

*As of Aug. 23

Graphic by Lilly Weisz ’23

Local Briefs

Julia Herlyn ‘23 Editor-in-Chief (she/her)

Sept. 8 & Sept. 13 Back To School Nights

Staples will be hosting its Back to School nights at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 for freshmen and sophomores and on Sept. 13 for juniors and seniors. Back to School nights will be in-person this year after two years of virtual or pre-recorded meetings. Parents and guardians will meet their students’ teachers for the upcoming year and listen to each class’s curriculum.

Sept. 9 Shorefest

Shorefest, an annual fundraiser dedicated to maintaining, improving and enhancing Sherwood Island State Park, will be held on Sept. 9 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the park’s Main Pavillion. Live music, a silent auction, appetizers and dinner will be provided. Tickets are $100 for adults and $15 for children age 12 and under.

Sept. 9-10 StoryFest

e Westport Library will be hosting StoryFest, a literary festival born out of Westport five years ago, on Sept. 9-10. StoryFest is the largest literary festival in Connecticut and includes talks from award-winning and debut authors about books that they will publish in the fall, including writers such as Isaac Fitzgerald and Saeed Jones. All are welcome to attend, free of charge.