A recent national survey revealed American opinion and concerns relating to schools’ responses to COVID-19 and the current political environment in regards to the pandemic.
As of January, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced new COVID-19 guidelines for schools across the state to follow. The new guidelines focus on keeping children in school. According to WNCT9 News, fully vaccinated students will no longer have to quarantine if exposed, as long as the child has no symptoms.
“I think the most meaningful change has been the decrease in the exclusion time from school,” Brent Anderson of Onslow County Schools told WNCT9. “Having students in class is our goal, especially with all they’ve missed over the last couple of years.”
Hart Research Associates recently teamed up with NBC News to conduct a national survey gauging trends related to gain voters’ outlook on and opinion related to the American political environment and COVID-19 concerns. The survey was conducted from Jan. 14 to 18 and polled 1,000 adults, 790 of which were registered voters.
Results of the survey reveal that Americans are divided in their COVID behavior. According to their findings, 37% of people polled are very focused on COVID, and 31% are moderately focused. Alternatively, 10% of people reported they are not focused on COVID, while 22% reported to have a low focus on the virus.
When asked where their concerns lie regarding COVID restrictions in schools, 65% of those polled are more concerned about children falling behind in school, while 30% are more concerned about the spread of COVID.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to strongly encourage indoor masking in K-12 school settings for all students, staff and visitors, “regardless of vaccination status.”
Apart from vaccination being the leading prevention strategy, the CDC says universal masking remains the second-most effective mode of protection against COVID-19 transmission.
With low vaccination rates among students and staff in some schools, public health officials are working to implement screening testing in addition to physical distancing and masking.
