Universal Masks vs. Optional Masks Survey
On Monday, February 7th, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced future changes to statewide face covering rules. On March 31, 2022 March 12, 2022, OHA will drop the statewide indoor mask mandate for schools and the decision to require universal masking in school settings will rest with school districts and local public health authorities. These changes are informed by OHA’s prediction that hospitalizations will fall below pre-Omicron levels (fewer than 400 COVID-19 hospitalizations).
2/28/2022 UPDATE: OHA updated the guidance to lift statewide indoor masks for schools to March 12, 2022.
The health and safety of our students, families, and staff while maintaining in-person learning is our highest priority. The decision to retain mask requirements or allow optional masking for schools beginning March 31st March 12th is now at the discretion of the local public health authority and the school district. A move to local decision making requires collaboration between school and district leaders, local school boards, employee groups, students, families, partner organizations, and community. We want to hear your voice!
If our local public health authority (Multnomah County Health Department) indicates that our school district and surrounding school districts can choose Optional Masking as soon as March 31, 2022 March 12, 2022 and Reynolds School District successfully negotiates optional masking working conditions with bargaining groups, which decision would you like the Reynolds School Board to choose? Please answer the questions below to give the School Board your input!
PLEASE NOTE: New or further guidance may be received that may limit our options at the local level. The questions asked in this survey are relevant to the guidance we have at this time. Also, safety measures around working conditions for staff are subject to discussion with our teacher and support staff bargaining groups which could provide further specific measures.
Here are some important considerations when making this decision:
| Universal Masking in Schools | Optional Masking in Schools | |
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Universal masking in schools is what Reynolds School District (and all Oregon schools) are currently doing - requiring the use of masks by students, staff, and visitors while in school. |
Optional Masking no sooner than Please note: Masks will STILL BE REQUIRED for anyone on buses as school buses are considered public transportation and guided by federal rules. |
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Spread of COVID-19: With universal masking, the spread of COVID-19 in schools is limited. This could mean more days in school for unvaccinated students and staff and fewer classroom or school closures due to staffing absences. |
Spread of COVID-19: The State has predicted that levels of COVID-19 transmission will be significantly decreased by |
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Contact Tracing: With universal masking, there is very limited contact tracing (only in rare unmasked instances such as band, choir, sports, etc.). |
Contact Tracing: With optional masking, there is a requirement for schools to implement wider-spread contact tracing, which could mean that more students and staff would be identified as close contacts to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and was on a school site. |
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Quarantine of Close Contacts: With limited contact tracing, there is limited need to quarantine close contacts. Fully vaccinated students and staff are not required to quarantine if identified as a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. |
Quarantine of Close Contacts: With more contact tracing requirements, it could mean that more unvaccinated students and staff would need to quarantine if they are considered close contact to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and was on a school site. Students and staff would be required to wear masks on days 6-10 after leaving quarantine for days 1-5. |
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Further considerations: The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and Oregon Department of Education (ODE) continue to strongly advise the use of face coverings in schools in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and minimize the impact of quarantine through the school year. |
Further considerations: Current Complete Series Vaccination rates in Multnomah County by age group (as of 2/11/2022)*:
NOTES: Although masks may be optional in school buildings, students and staff will still be required to wear masks on buses and in days 6-10 of quarantine or isolation. Learn more about quarantine and isolation here. While school staff will make every effort to keep everyone safe, collaboration and support from students, families, and staff will be necessary to ensure limited transmission of COVID-19 in the event of optional masking. |
This survey is now closed. Thank you for participating!
