Going into the Labor Day holiday, Plano ISD officials reported that 433 students in the district were currently testing positive COVID-19. An additional 554 have since recovered, bringing the total number of positive cases to nearly 1,000 students since classes resumed on Aug. 11. That represents approximately two percent of the district’s student population.
Forty-six staff members were also currently testing positive as of Sept 3. An additional 113 staff members have since recovered.
McMillen High School had the most current positive cases by far with 44. It was followed by Shepton High School with 22, Saigling Elementary with 21 and Dooley Elementary with 20. Bowman Middle School reported the most current staff cases with four.
In response to the rising COVID-19 numbers, the district announced the creation of a new virtual academy for students in grades kindergarten through sixth.
These numbers are high and the ISD seem not committed to taking deliberate actions to stem the tide. This might become a pandemic.
The 2% recorded in this article represents the number that was reported. What about unreported asymptomatic cases? Why can’t the ISD organize a massive testing rounds to help folks know their status. That way, appropriate public policy decisions and actions can be designed to control the rate of infections?
At the end of the day, we might end up losing some of these kids or have them scarred for life. Critically, a lot of parents and teachers will get exposed by association and induction. Who knows, the ones with underlying health problems may not survive the beast. Do not hope on herd immunity as the virus keeps mutating.
Meanwhile, getting vaccinated is good. Yet, vaccinations may only reduce the effects of the symptoms as they cannot guarantee protection from the different mutants of the virus. I write from personal experience.
Offering statistics is good and at best, reactive. The ISD must be deliberate and methodical in combating the marauding and morphing virus. The ISD must take steps.
A stitch in time saves nine.