The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends “universal masking in all K-12 school settings." | Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommends “universal masking in all K-12 school settings." | Kelly Sikkema/Unsplash
A recent national survey reveals American opinion about schools' response to COVID-19.
As of Jan. 2022, guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends “universal masking in all K-12 school settings.” Should students or educational staff test positive for COVID, they are required to isolate for a minimum of five days, regardless of vaccination status, and possibly longer depending on severity of symptoms. Quarantine policies are dependent upon what each individual school district deems safest.
"This guidance will help K-12 schools maintain in-person learning by outlining mitigation strategies when students, teachers, and staff are exposed to a COVID-19 case in a school setting," according to MDHHS. "When layered prevention strategies such as vaccination, masking, distancing, testing, isolation, and quarantine are applied consistently, school-associated transmission of COVID-19 is significantly reduced."
Hart Research Associates recently teamed up with NBC News to conduct a national survey gauging trends related to voters’ opinion on the American political environment and COVID-19 concerns. The survey was conducted from Jan. 14 to 18 and polled 1,000 adults, 790 of which were registered voters.
It revealed that Americans are divided in their attitudes. According to the survey's findings, 37% of people are very focused on COVID and 31% are moderately focused. Alternatively, 10% of people reported they are not focused on COVID, while 22% reported to have a low focus on the virus.
When asked where their concerns lie regarding COVID restrictions in schools, 65% of Americans are more concerned about children falling behind in school, while 30% are more concerned about the spread of COVID.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to strongly encourage indoor masking in K-12 school settings for all students, staff and visitors, “regardless of vaccination status.”
Apart from vaccination being the leading prevention strategy, the CDC says universal masking remains the second most effective mode of protection against COVID-19 transmission.
With low vaccination rates among students and staff in some schools, public health officials are working to implement screening testing in addition to physical distancing and masking.
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