Syracuse, N.Y. — Schools should require masks for all when they reopen in September, said Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon.
“Our goal with all of this is in-person learning,” McMahon said this afternoon. If students were not masked and a person in the classroom tests positive for Covid-19, the entire class would have to be quarantined. If students are masked, McMahon said, only those closest to the person who tested positive would have to be quarantined.
The county’s guidelines are suggestions, not mandates. It is up to the individual districts to decide what to do. McMahon said he expects all of the districts in Onondaga County to require everyone, including vaccinated staff and personal, to wear masks. Syracuse schools announced this week that they would require masks and vaccinations or testing for teachers and staff. Few other districts have announced their plans.
The county also is no longer recommending temperature checks or screening questions. The CDC said the practice is no longer necessary; it’s largely ineffective in detecting Covid-19.
Onondaga County bucked a state recommendation to stop football, volleyball, competitive cheerleading and other extra-curricular activities that create a high risk of spread in high-transmission counties.
“We think it’s safe,” McMahon said.
McMahon said the county recommends screening student athletes for Covid-19 regularly, and recommends vaccination for any student who is old enough. McMahon said the county’s high vaccination rate makes those activities less risky.
The screening would be either pooled saliva testing or rapid tests; the county will help any district that wants to do this testing.
The CDC has suggested making vaccination a requirement to participate in scholastic sports. McMahon said the county is not recommending that at this point.
McMahon said the county will continue to monitor the Covid-19 spread and reevaluate the guidelines. If conditions improve, the county could say it no longer recommends masking, McMahon said. If things get worse, McMahon said he could sign an emergency order that would make masks mandatory.
Other highlights from the county’s 12-page guidance:
- 3 feet of physical distancing in classroom (the same as in the spring)
- Masks, but no physical distancing required on buses (this means two kids can sit in a seat)
- Covid-19 screening is strongly recommended for high-risk sports
- The county will be working with districts to do regular testing of staff and students
- Masks are not necessary outdoors
- The county is no longer recommending temperature checks
Marnie Eisenstadt writes about people, public affairs and the Syracuse City School District. Contact her anytime email | Twitter| cell 315-470-2246.
