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Have updates to make in the school case tracker, but want to take a moment to put COVID numbers in context... Increasingly, research shows that keeping schools open might not spur spikes in # of cases. In Arizona... https://www.npr.org/2020/10/21/925794511/were-the-risks-of-reopening-schools-exaggerated
We're seeing more cases reported by schools, which is partly due to more schools reopening. I've tracked around 160 cases since August, Maricopa Co. shows 34 school outbreaks (which is two cases or more, linked)
Out of 1.1 million public school students, and tens of thousands of staff members, the number of positive cases is low. And so while it can be alarming when schools are closed (Madison Middle and Combs High), county health officials are taking the exact steps they said they would
Similarly, Scottsdale's move to potentially shut down schools where COVID-19 cases are spiking is in line with state health recommendations https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/scottsdale-education/2020/10/24/10-scottsdale-schools-may-return-virtual-learning-after-increase-covid-19-cases/6025459002/
Now, there are things schools aren't doing: Many schools have ditched the hybrid mode of learning in favor of full in-person, even though that's recommended for most districts in the county.
A lot will hinge on what we do and what we observe if/when cases spike again. Scottsdale's superintendent chided parents last week for outside behavior he believed was prompting new cases in SUSD schools.
So yes, cases are alarming, but there are many instances where school officials are taking the right steps to address cases. In the instances where they're not... Keep contacting me. I'm listening and collecting these stories.
