Some State Education Leaders Balk At Governor's New Policy on Quarantines
Posted Date: 01/14/2021
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday announced a policy change regarding COVID-19 quarantines at school. However, not all state education leaders are in agreement with it.
Districts which require masks will no longer have to quarantine for two weeks if a person is exposed to COVID-19, unless the individual is showing symptoms, Stitt said.
State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister was asked about her reaction to the announcement.
“While this option underscores the need for mask requirements in school, I cannot in good conscience support ignoring quarantine guidelines from the CDC and other infectious disease experts,” she said in a written statement. “There is no doubt we all want our students and teachers to be safely in the classroom, but COVID is raging in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Education Association President Alicia Priest said Stitt’s remarks were confusing.
“He calls for no quarantining when there is a mask policy but won’t demand strong mask policies,” Priest said.
Governor Kevin Stitt is facing backlash from educators over a new policy. Stitt’s policy will allow a teacher or student who is exposed to COVID-19 in a school setting to avoid a quarantine period. The only exception is if the person is showing symptoms. https://t.co/aIBgKUhq7W
— News 9 (@NEWS9) January 13, 2021
