The governor also announced $3 million from set aside funds for health and safety protocols in schools
Gov. Jay Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal today announced an update in the metrics used to inform local school district decisions for in-person learning. They also announced $3 million from set aside funds to be distributed to implement health and safety protocols.
Related to safety in schools, the governor will issue an accompanying proclamation requiring schools by law to implement health and safety measures, and mandates staff involvement in health and safety related decisions.
“I have sought the opinions of state and local education administrators, as well as educators, staff, parents and school boards. And today, we are providing them more clarity and confidence in getting students back in the classroom,” Inslee said during a press conference Wednesday. “Many people’s lives revolve around a regular school schedule and, apart from the academics, schools provide social supports that advance healthy childhood development.”
School Health and Safety Toolkit
The update to in-person instruction guidance comes after recent data showed limited COVID-19 transmission in school environments when state health and safety protocols are implemented.
National experts from MIT, Brown University and Harvard, along with experts in Washington have shown a dramatic drop in risk of infection transmission when safety measures are in place, such as masking, physical distancing, and increased ventilation and environmental cleaning.
Dr. Danielle Zerr, medical director of infection prevention and chief of pediatric infectious diseases for Seattle Children’s Hospital, said that while data is still being collected on susceptibility of school-aged children, there is a lack of evidence that schools are a significant source of transmission.