Department of Education director Colt Gill said it’s likely Oregon schools could move back to remote learning if there are too many COVID cases. For Oregon schools, a more contagious COVID variant like Omicron could mean more people out sick – further straining schools dealing with staff shortages.
Dr. Katie Sharff, an infectious disease specialist for Kaiser Northwest, is watching the situation closely. She said while omicron appears to be more mild than other variants, it’s much more contagious. That’s concerning for those working in education and health care. Dr. Sharff said testing is an important tool for preventing community spread. “When you can’t operationalize these tools, it’s just that many more people out in the community who may have asymptomatic infection who […] inadvertently spreading illness,” said Sharff.
Schools are just starting to get consistent access to testing. Teachers are unfortunately paying out of pocket for essential safety equipment like high-quality masks and air purifiers. And qualified staff, from substitutes to bus drivers, can’t be conjured out of thin air, even when federal dollars exist to pay for them.
A school health advisory notes: “As Oregon fully experiences the impacts of the Omicron variant over the next several weeks, student access to in-person instruction is under serious threat. While early data indicate that the Omicron variant may result in less severe disease than previous variants, it is increasingly clear that the Omicron variant spreads much more quickly and easily than all previous variants.”
