As we enter our winter break, we have to make tough decisions regarding masking in the New Year. We now have a new variant Omicron that appears to be fast spreading. We do not completely understand the effects of Omicron on our population at this time.
We do know that families will be traveling to be with loved ones and gatherings will happen during the holiday season which could possibly increase the risk of infection with Covid.
Out of caution for our students and staff, we are going to require masking in January. We will evaluate the situation in the 3rd week of January. We are hoping more data will be available when we return in January and we can make decisions based on the most recent information.
We hope everyone has a beautiful and safe holiday season. We request if your loved one has any symptoms of illness (cough, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, temperature) when school starts January 4th, please keep them home until the symptoms have subsided. This list is not all inclusive. Fever does not determine illness.
Omicron – B.1.1.529
First identified: South Africa
Spread: May spread more easily than other variants, including Delta.
Severe illness and death: Due to the small number of cases, the current severity of illness and death associated with this variant is unclear.
Vaccine: Breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated are expected, but vaccines are effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. Early evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Omicron variant can spread the virus to others. All FDA-approved or authorized vaccines are expected to be effective against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.
Treatments: Some monoclonal antibody treatments may not be as effective against infection with Omicron.
CDC, December, 2021