SAN JOSE, CA – Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County Public Health Officer, and Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools, addressed the school masking messaging that was announced yesterday by the governors of California, Oregon, and Washington and the California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) Secretary, Dr. Mark Ghaly.
“The health and safety of the students and staff in Santa Clara County remains our top priority,” commented Dr. Dewan. “Wearing a properly fitted mask remains a proven risk mitigation strategy as we continue to learn to live alongside COVID. In alignment with the state’s announcement and with the proven risk mitigation measures, it will be strongly recommended that students and school personnel in Santa Clara County continue to wear a mask indoors on school campuses.”
In today’s press conference, Dr. Cody noted that Santa Clara County has not had any mandated school guidance for quite some time. “The risk (of COVID) in our county is decreasing, but there are still many who are at risk such as young children who are still not eligible for the vaccine and those who are immunocompromised or who have other health conditions,” said Dr. Cody. “We will continue to follow our metrics and we will now transition from a requirement to a strong recommendation for indoor masking.”
Monday, March 14, 2022 will be the first in-person learning opportunity where the transition from mandate to strong recommendation will be in effect. Governor Newsom noted the strong recommendation for indoor school masking for all regardless of their vaccination status.
Dr. Ghaly clarified yesterday in his public address that the transition to strongly recommending masks in school settings was intended to keep the health and safety of students and staff a priority. “It is a priority to keep school sites safe and we know that wearing a well fitted N-95 mask reduces 83% odds of being infected,” commented Dr. Ghaly. “Care for the vulnerable populations such as the unvaccinated and/or immune compromised remains a top priority.”
The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department also announced today that all masking metrics have been met and therefore indoor masking within the county will no longer be required beginning March 2. The indoor masking requirement in schools remains in effect through the end of the day on March 11, 2022 per the California Department of Public Health.
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.
For more information about the Santa Clara County Office of Education, please visit www.sccoe.org and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.