As the number of students testing positive for COVID-19 has exponentially spiked with the rise of the Omicron variant, many students and staff members in Port have also been affected.  To help contain and decrease the amount of positive cases, it would be beneficial for Schreiber to begin offering  COVID-19 testing and vaccination appointments for the school community.

The CDC recommended that schools that go back in person after the winter break  provide COVID-19 testing for their students and staff.  This means that schools test students and staff regularly to ensure a negative result.  It also recommended that schools offer testing for people with symptoms and to those who have been recently exposed.  This would promote a safer environment in the school and keep in-person learning active.

“If the school administers COVID-19 testing appointments would make people feel safer knowing the risk of contracting the virus would be lessened,” said freshman Juliet Feinblum. 

Having the school coordinate COVID-19 test appointments would be beneficial to our community.  It would be easier to manage all the results because they go directly to the school and not through another healthcare facility.  It also eliminates the need for parents to communicate with school administration when there is an exposure.  The tests are free, easy, and quick to administer and will help students and staff know if they are infected or not.  Having our school coordinate test appointments makes testing less of a hassle because it is in town.  People also would not have to wait in extremely long lines like the ones at Urgent Care or other facilities. 

“It is a huge waste of time trying to make test appointments and having to wait even longer to finally get tested,” said freshman Olivia Gade. 

If the school provides regular testing, parents or guardians can be notified quickly if their child tests positive so they can take the right steps in ensuring that the rest of the family remains safe and can have their child attend school in-person as soon as possible. 

Coordinating vaccine appointments as well would have a positive impact on our school’s safety regarding the virus.  The vaccine is one of the best ways to help stop the spread of COVID-19, especially in schools.  It can keep schools open longer for in-person learning experiences.  If the school were to also administer COVID-19 vaccines, they can monitor who is vaccinated and who is not to further help with contact tracing.  If the school were to give out vaccines, it could not only be administered to its staff and students, but also to the general public to further help stop the spread.

“More people in our town will be vaccinated if Schreiber administers the COVID-19 vaccine as people don’t have to wait that long and it is in our area so they don’t have to travel to vaccine sites that may not be in our area,” said freshman Athena Dritsas.

If we want in-person school to remain, the school must begin taking action such as administering tests and vaccines so people can continue to communicate with each other face to face, and can participate in sports, extracurriculars, and other activities.  

“I think it’s a good idea and a way to help keep everyone safe and school in person. It has potential to keep numbers down and stop the spread of COVID-19,” said freshman Addyson Rejwan.