HOLMES BEACH – After experiencing a fifth straight week of no COVID-positive staff or students, it’s possible things may be slowly returning to normal after a scary start to the 2021-22 school year that began just as the nation was bracing for the new Delta variant of COVID-19.
Manatee County schools saw the fewest new staff and student cases since the beginning of the school year, with six staff and 35 students testing positive for COVID-19 over the past week.
There were arguments among parents, school board members and even the highest levels of state and national government officials over how to handle masks in school and staff vaccine mandates. In Manatee County, the School Board decided not to violate Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates in school. Since the county didn’t violate the mandate because its version had an opt-out clause, no state funds were withheld from the county or its elected board members.
“Would it have mattered if they made them all wear masks? Honestly don’t think so,” said Ken, a parent of a student at Anna Maria Elementary, who asked that The Sun not publish his last name. “I think things are slowing down because of the vaccines and the fact so many people have had COVID and have antibodies. This is a sign we’re headed for herd immunity.”
According to the CDC, regardless of the numbers, it is best to continue to take every possible precaution including vaccines, masks and hand-washing and sanitization.
