This week on the Minnesota Native News health report, why face coverings remain important as we navigate the delta variant, specifically in schools. Reporter Dalton Walker explains in this week’s stories
School is just around the corner for many across Minnesota, and part of your back-to-school checklist should again include face masks.
It’s true, COVID-19 cases remain low and are considerably less than this time last year, or even a few months ago. But that could change.
Over the past few weeks, health officials have been warning citizens about a new threat known as the delta variant of the coronavirus. It’s highly contagious and dangerous if caught, especially to the unvaccinated. Most coronavirus cases in the state are of the delta kind.
Last week, we explained how tribes across the state have been pushing for more vaccinations because of the variant.
Now, in relation to the delta variant, state health and education officials issued new school COVID-19 guidance for the fall. The guidance is not a mandate and will be up to individual districts to implement.
One recommendation is for students, teachers and staff to wear masks even if vaccinated against COVID-19. Another is for anyone 12 years and older to get vaccinated.
Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm and other state health officials have been providing COVID-19 briefings more regularly again.
“Students, families and K-12 educators are preparing now for the start of the 20-21 school year. I don’t want to miss saying that we are in a much better place than where we were last year thanks to the millions of Minnesotans who have stepped up to get vaccinated, and that is a critical difference. But it’s very clear that we are not done with the pandemic yet,” said Malcolm in a recent Minnesota Department of Health briefing.
Be sure to reach out to your local school district for the latest guidance as school approaches.
In news related to face masks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention again revised its guidance for wearing masks indoors among groups.
Fully vaccinated people should resume wearing masks indoors if they are in areas where the virus is surging. In Minnesota, 75 percent of new COVID-19 cases are delta, according to health officials.
Also, Tribes in Minnesota have routinely shared weekly updates since the start of the pandemic. Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is one of them.
Mille Lacs Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin shared the latest covid numbers among citizens. She relayed a message from the tribe’s Health and Human Services about the delta variant.
“The best way to make sure that you and your family are protected when you are in large groups, please wear your mask. If you have family members and friends that do not have the covid vaccine, you can make them aware that there are clinics at the Health and Human Services building so if they are interested in getting the vaccine,” said Benjamin.
Dalton Walker reporting for Minnesota Native News
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