COVID-19 outbreak in local schools send children back to remote learning
Parents frustrated about the safety and health of their kids - News 11's Arlette Yousif reports
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - COVID-19 outbreaks are already disrupting classes only a couple of weeks after students hit the books. Cases are up and children under 12 are still not eligible to get vaccinated. McGraw Elementary School in Yuma is the first campus that has completely canceled in-person learning for 10 days due to an outbreak.
Meanwhile, the Crane Elementary School District says it is contacting parents when their children may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID. So far this week, the district has reported a total of 27 new cases, five of those cases at Ronald Reagan Elementary.
One local mother has questions…
"All the kids are required to have certain shots before they go to school, to have that, but if there’s no shot for the kids yet, why is it optional for them to wear a mask or not? And why didn’t us parents get the option to do remote until there’s a vaccine out there for us to choose from?" asks Crane School District parent Rosaura Tinajero.
Tinajero is not the only one concerned about schools becoming COVID super-spreaders.
"Schools are in full session, 30 plus children in their classrooms. COVID cases are rising, rising… and I just feel that our children are definitely in danger," says Crane School District parent Theresa Tinajero.
Peterson says her 12-year-old son recently told her someone in his first and second-period class had COVID.
"I didn’t get a phone call. I was just a little bit nervous and I’m like hey, wear your mask. You know, don’t touch anybody. Stay arm's length away, at least six feet and do the very best you can," explains Peterson.
I have reached out to Crane. While they were not available for an interview, Community Relations Coordinator Rosie Pena said they are notifying parents about COVID cases on a weekly basis.
I also reached out to Yuma District One about their temporary school closure due to a COVID outbreak. I am still waiting to hear back from the district.
The question about mask mandates is endless. Still, Arizona Gov Doug Ducey's ban on mask mandates in the classroom stands. Even though other schools in the state have already gone against his orders. Both Crane and District One say they highly recommend, but don't mandate masks at school.
