Tag Archives: COVID

Long COVID: One Woman’s Story

Posted on March 9, 2022 | 3 comments

Laurie* was active. She led full, rewarding professional and social lives. She’d always eaten well, taken vitamins and supplements, and exercised faithfully. She was double vaxxed against COVID, and boosted.

On December 28 she tested positive for the virus. Besides a brief period when her oxygen level plummeted, she had mild symptoms: a slight sniffle and cough.

“That was easy,” she thought.

Six weeks later, the after-effects hit.

Laurie felt like she was hungover — all the time. Her eyes were sensitive to light. Her brain was foggy. She forgot things, like what day it was or where she’d parked her car. Her hands shook.

She was constantly exhausted. At 11:30 a.m., she could barely hold her head up. She napped for 2 hours at midday. At night she had trouble sleeping.

After 20 years of yoga and Pilates, she could not even walk down the street.

“I had no life, no vitality,” Laurie says.

Laurie’s internist did blood work, but said nothing could help.

Week after week, Laurie’s symptoms dragged on. Fortunately, she says, she did not feel sorry for herself, or fall into depression.

“Maybe it’s because I was proactive,” she suggests. “I tried to find solutions. I didn’t sit around thinking ‘woe is me.'”

Finally, her holistic chiropractor suggested increasing her daily dose of curcumin. She also started red light therapy and infrared saunas at Restore Cryotherapy.

Over the past few days, Laurie has started to feel better. She is not sure she’s out of the woods, though. She knows she could relapse.

She’s telling her story because she wants to help people understand COVID. Many friends were sympathetic. Colleagues covered for her at work.

But some people could not empathize. She hopes that sharing her struggle will help readers become more knowledgeable about the effects of the virus.

Laurie is not “the” face of COVID. The disease takes many forms. It runs its course in many ways.

But she is one face of COVID.

And she is a reminder that our fight against it is a long way from over.

*Not her real name. For medical privacy, she asked to be identified by a different name.

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Posted in Environment, Local business

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Unmasked Monday

Posted on February 28, 2022 | 9 comments

Today, the masks come off.

Since August 2020, Westport schools have been under a mask mandate. For 18 months, everyone — students, staff, custodians, cafeteria workers, the few visitors allowed in — has spent every minute inside with half their face covered.

Seniors in high school, kindergarteners, principals — it did not matter how old or young you were. If you were in school, you wore a mask.

Students watching lessons at home via Zoom saw their teachers covered (and heard their voices muffled). Chorus members sang and actors acted with masks. Indoor athletes practiced and played with masks (though this winter, they were generally worn around the neck).

Masks at this year’s Candlelight Concert. (Photo/Dan Woog)

Today, teachers will see this year’s students’ faces for the first time. And vice versa.

It will be different. Odd. For some it will be liberating. For others, scary.

It’s a major step on the road back to normalcy — or at least, to the Before Times. It’s a significant indicator that although COVID is still with us, we’re now figuring out how to live with it, rather than be ruled by it.

We’ve come a long way from just 6 weeks ago, when Omicron stunned us with its sudden surge. Just as the experts predicted though, it ebbed as quickly as it flowed.

A new variant no doubt awaits. It may be more or less transmissible than others. It may target a different population. It may affect people in different ways, or be a more or less lethal version of what we’ve seen.

We may go back to masks, temporarily. Some people will continue to wear them, everywhere or in certain places. But I can’t imagine we’ll go back to another 18 months of masks in schools.

Just as we won’t go back to washing our hands like OCD sufferers, for 2 “Happy Birthday” stanzas at a time. Nor will we once again quarantine our food outdoors for 48 hours, after wiping down every piece of fruit, carton of milk and box of cereal.

Still, we’ll take some lessons from the 18 months of masks. We’ve learned that they prevent more than COVID. It’s been a long time since I’ve had even a cold, and this flu season has been a breeze. The next time something is “going around,” we’ll see masks again — and no one will think twice about them.

Another lesson: We can do this. If you had told me in March of 2020 that 2 years later we’d still be battling COVID — and that, despite a vaccine developed in record time, huge swaths of Americans refused to take it — I’d have said, “No way can we hang in that long.”

But hang in we did. We had to. The coronavirus hung around too. We had no choice.

So now we look ahead. Restaurants are filling back up. The newcomers who flooded into Westport over the past 2 years — families that loved discovering their new community, even during a lockdown — are starting to see just how great this place really is.

The biggest party in town — the 4th of July fireworks — is back on. (Actually, they’re June 30th. That’s just 4 days fewer to wait.)

Fireworks return on June 30th. (Photo/David Squires)

But back to the start of this story: the kids.

There may be collateral damage from the past 18 months. The youngest children — those who have never known a mask-free school — may carry this with them forever.

I think about everyone who grew up in the Depression. For the rest of their lives — no matter how well-off and secure they were — they ate everything on their plate. And they turned off every light when they left a room, to “save the electric.”

But I also know that kids are resilient. They’re adaptable. They’re flexible.

And they’ve complained far less about masks than adults.

There may be some strange moments today, when the masks come off in school. Soon enough though, it will be back to normal.

Or whatever passes for the New Normal these days.

9 Comments

Posted in Children, Education, Staples HS

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Tooker: Westport Is Mask Optional On February 28

Posted on February 18, 2022 | 12 comments

On February 28, Westport becomes a “mask optional community.”

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker made that announcement today, on behalf of the town’s COVID-19 Emergency Management Team.

The date corresponds with similar lifting of restrictions by the state of Connecticut, and the anticipated ending of mandatory masks in Westport Public Schools.

Masks may still be required in other locations outside the municipal authority. They include healthcare facilities, those housing vulnerable populations, and public and private transit. Some Westport establishments and locations may continue to maintain a full mask policy.

Most Westporters will no longer be required to wear masks. (Photo/Topsy Siderowf)

Tooker says, “We are comfortable and confident that requiring masks in municipal buildings is no longer a necessity, with the exceptions noted. Certainly, there are those who will continue to wear a mask in certain circumstances, and we respect and encourage that personal choice.

“I am very proud to be leading this resilient community. Since early 2020, we have all  had to navigate the many phases of COVID. Being mask optional is an encouraging development in yet another phase that we will navigate together.”

12 Comments

Posted in Local politics

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Scarice Explains Mask Mandate Elimination

Posted on February 17, 2022 | 11 comments

At last night’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice recommended an elimination of the mask mandate for all students and staff effective February 28, the day the winter break ends.

In a community message today, he elaborated on his rationale:

The elimination of the universal mask mandate by the governor, supported by the Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, indicates that universal masking is not a necessary public health intervention at this point in time. If this were a necessary public health intervention, the mandate would continue as it was renewed in the past by the Governor when necessitated.

The infection rates in the region, and in particular the Westport community and Westport Public Schools, have dropped precipitously over the past month. Virus prevalence is a significant factor in determining the need for various mitigating measures, including masking. The prevalence rate is bottoming out, and possibly reaching a level that could be expected to be our new normal.

Average daily COVID cases in Fairfield County, May 2020 to February 2022.

Westport is among the highest vaccinated communities in the state, providing strong support against health complications as a result of contracting the virus.  In addition, the widespread infection rate of the Omicron variant also provided significant levels of natural immunity to our community. Furthermore, this most recent virus strain appears to be less virulent than earlier variants, such as Delta.

Fidelity to mask wearing is critical to the success of this intervention.  Throughout the pandemic our students and staff were vigilant in properly wearing masks, and most importantly, time outside of school was largely reinforced by consistency in mask wearing as this was an expectation in all settings for our students (i.e. community places, extracurricular activities, etc.).

However, for our students now, school is one of the few locations where masks are regularly worn and mandated. Additionally, the fidelity of proper mask wearing has waned significantly over the past few months according to faculty and building administrators, particularly at the secondary level. Mask quality has also been called into question during the Omicron surge.

Maintaining a mandate when proper mask wearing is limited, and when most students do not wear masks outside of the school setting while interacting with each other, provides a false sense of security and a false impression of the efficacy of mandated universal masking in our schools.

Scarice noted that mitigation measures like ventilation, social distancing and hand hygiene will continue to be implemented. Serial testing will continue through the end of March. Daily reports of new cases will also continue, and local conditions will be monitored closely.

He added:

Students, their families, and anyone on our WPS team may choose to continue to wear a mask, commonly referred to as “one-way” masking. “One-way” masking works and provides protection for an individual.

Eliminating the universal mandate does not eliminate all measures of protection. As we evolve through the stages of the pandemic, I suspect that a gradual lifting of individual choice in masking will unfold. Some will choose to no longer wear a mask and, perhaps over time, others will choose the same. In the interim, “one-way” masking will be honored and respected in our schools, and it will provide additional protection for individuals.

Some students will continue to wear masks. This painting — “Masked COVID Portrait” is by Westport teenager Dereje Tarrant.

Scarice said that the elimination of the governor’s emergency order means that school districts will no longer need to require proof of vaccination or approval of a medical or religious exemption from vaccination for prospective employees.

Also eliminated: the requirement for employees to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. And the district will no longer require vaccination, or proof of a negative test, for visitors. 

Scarice’s recommendations apply to all students and stuff, including Stepping Stones Preschool.

Federal requirements still mandates that masks be worn on school buses.

Scarice continued:

It has been pointed out that students return from the February break when the mask mandate is lifted. There have been concerns about a potential spike in infection rates upon return from vacation.

I do not see the recent winter break as an appropriate comparison since that surge was driven by the Omicron variant.However, we did experience a number of families traveling during the Thanksgiving break and did not experience an increase in infection rates.

Furthermore, I believe that a continued mandate in response to the vacation break would have minimal impact in mitigation as students are largely not wearing masks in any other activities or events in the community.

As mentioned earlier, throughout the pandemic students were vigilant in properly wearing masks, and most importantly, time outside of school was largely reinforced by consistency in mask wearing as this was an expectation in all settings for our students (i.e. community places, extracurricular activities, etc.).

However, if school is the only location where masks will be mandated following the vacation, I believe that we would gain little more than a false sense of security and a false impression of the efficacy of mandating masks in schools for an additional week or two. Again, students and staff may continue with “one-way” masking.

Given our high vaccination rates, the lack of an increase in infection rates after Thanksgiving, and the inconsistency in the fidelity of mask wearing, in and outside of our school environment, I do not believe that postponing the elimination of the mask mandate is necessary.

As to enforcing “one-way masking,” Scarice said:

Individuals (i.e. students and staff) may choose to continue to wear a mask.  The district, all faculty, support staff and administrators, support this choice for individuals. However, we will not have the capacity to track and enforce individual choice for each student if parents require their child to continue wearing masks. As a district, we will honor and support each family’s choice, yet we will not enforce “one-way” masking for each child.

Scarice asked that parents help with the transition away from a mask mandate:

Preparing for change by engaging in a conversation and allowing your child to ask questions can reduce any stress and anxiety.

Some students may be eager to remove their mask and return to some sense of normalcy. For others, this change can create anxiety for a variety of reasons, including health concerns and fears about being judged for wearing or not wearing a mask.

As in most situations, children follow the example of their parents and primary caregivers. Expressing your thoughts and feelings about masking and unmasking will be important to help your child understand why your family has made the choice to continue or discontinue wearing a mask in school.

Students will be reminded at school that each family is making a decision based on what is best for them, as we all have different circumstances. There is no right or wrong. We want to be sure everyone feels safe and accepted in school, whether they are wearing a mask or not.

Children should be encouraged to state that they feel more comfortable wearing or not wearing a mask and that it’s OK if their friend chooses something different. If at any time your child feels that others are making them feel uncomfortable about wearing or not wearing a mask, they should let their teacher or another trusted adult at school know immediately.

Similarly, parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher or building principal if they have concerns. School psychologists, counselors, and social workers are available to support students if needed.

Navigating this transition in school is new for everyone, and we will need to work together to support our children through this new experience.

Scarice concluded:

As I stated in my message to the community on Friday, many issues in the modern world have become polarizing, including universal masking. The district team is committed to supporting the personal choice of each individual student and staff member, and to protecting everyone in our school community from unwelcome comments and behaviors.

Lack of respect or inappropriate comments or behaviors will not be tolerated as families consider what is best for their child and family.

We will continue to carefully monitor case rates and attendance and evaluate any new guidance issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Adjustments to our approach will be made as necessary.

11 Comments

Posted in Children, Education, Environment, Teenagers

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Signs, Social Media Urge: “Unmask Our Children”

Posted on February 5, 2022 | 105 comments

Connecticut’s statewide school mask mandate expires February 15. Pressure is growing on Governor Lamont to end it immediately — and for legislators not to extend it, when they vote February 10.

If the state mandate expires, local school districts could implement their own policies.

Local “Mask Choice” groups sprang up earlier in towns like Fairfield, Wilton and Darien. In the past couple of days, “Mask Choice Westport signs” appeared in front yards and public spaces.

A sign near the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge downtown … (Photo submitted by “WestportParents06880@Gmail.com”)

On social media, the handle is @MaskChoiceWestport. As of last night, an Instagram account with that name had posted 31 times — mostly links to news stories, opinion pieces and videos — and had 463 followers.

A reader told “06880”: “Parents are sending letters to Lamont, state representatives, the Board of Education, our superintendent, the Connecticut Teachers Association, and anyone else who would listen. This is the hot topic of all the parents I know right now.”

Statewide, 86% of 16- and 17-year-olds, and 79% of those 12 to 15 have received at least one COVID vaccine dose. The figure for 5- to 11-year-olds is 44%.

Cases have dropped sharply in Fairfield County since their mid-January Omicron peak.

… and the Sherwood Island Connector. (Photo/Seth Schachter)

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice notes that the topic has caused “a great deal of division in both the public health and medical community, as well as in the school community.” The district “will continue to receive guidance from our local health district, medical advisor and the state Department of Public Health,” he says.

Scarice adds:

At the outset of the pandemic and the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, the district took a very conservative approach to our learning models and mitigating measures.

Since last January, we have learned a great deal and provided increased access to programs and services within the guidance we have been provided. Not only have we remained fully open, including extracurricular programs, we have consistently peeled back layers of mitigation when the opportunities have presented themselves.  I anticipate that we will take the same approach with universal masking based on the guidance we receive.

“06880” attempted to speak with a spokesperson for “MaskChoiceWestport.” However, contact information was not immediately available.

105 Comments

Posted in Children, Education, Environment, Local politics, Politics, Teenagers

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Roundup: School Visitors, Stop & Shop, Lunar New Year …

Posted on January 23, 2022 | 1 comment

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With COVID cases decreasing, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice has announced that as of January 31, visitors will be allowed back in buildings. All visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test administered 72 prior to the visit.

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Stop & Shop may still be confounding customers with its “redesign.” But they are on the ball with one thing. Last week, “06888” called the supermarket out on their flyer, which announced their “reopening” (though they never closed) as taking place in “East Westport.”

This week, they got it right:

Now, if we can just figure out where they moved the coffee to … (Hat tip: Beth Keane)

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In just a year of operation, AAPI Westport has made its mark on Westport.

Next up: a Lunar Year celebration. It’s set for the Westport Weston Family Y, on Saturday, February 5 (1 to 3 p.m.).

On tap: crafts, games and a cooking demonstration (dumplings!). Everyone is welcome.

The event is free. Registration is recommended, but not required; click here.

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Congratulations to the Staples/Stamford/Westhill girls ice hockey coop team. They’re the Ruden Report Team of the Week, following a great 0-0 tie against powerhouse Darien.

The girls practice at 5:30 a.m. — in Stamford — once a week. But you can catch them working out on Fridays after school, at the Longshore PAL rink.

The Staples/Stamford/Westhiill girls ice hockey coop team.

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Ever since COVID struck, Westporters have discovered the wide open spaces and beauty of Sherwood Island State Park. Fred Cantor took this “Westport … Naturally” photo last week.

(Photo/Fred Cantor)

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And finally … today is the birthday of Chita Rivera. The actress/singer/dancer is 89 years old.

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Posted in Education, Local business, Sports, Staples HS, YMCA

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Unsung Heroes #223

Posted on January 19, 2022 | 1 comment

Last week, “06880” saluted Saugatuck Elementary School nurse Jane Sandri, and all her colleagues in the Westport district.

Being a school nurse in the best of times is a herculean — and thankless — task.

These are not the best of times.

Today we honor all those other healthcare workers on the frontlines during the pandemic.

Doctors, nurses, and the staffs in their medical offices. All have spent nearly 2 years dealing with the disease, up close and personal. They’ve diagnosed, treated and reassured their patients, while at the same time worrying about their families and loved ones — and themselves.

The men and women at the Westport Weston Health District. In a time of constantly shifting information, they’re out steady-as-she-goes go-to resources.

The pharmacists at CVS, Walgreens, Colonial Pharmacy, Achorn’s and elsewhere answer panicked questions and give vaccines in addition to their usual duties — and everyone else in their stores, who has been caught up in this tsunami.

Emergency workers like police, firefighters and EMTs have had far more than their share of interactions with COVID patients (and those they fear may be, or don’t even know themselves).

Ditto everyone who has volunteered at a vaccine clinic, or helped distribute testing kids.

And of course all those who work every day at a test center.

I’m sure there are many others who spend every day — 24/7/365 — deep in this viral mess.

If you’ve served us in any way throughout the crisis, you’ve done something special. That’s why you’re “06880”‘s Unsung Heroes of the Week.

And the year.

Do you know an Unsung Hero? Email nominations to dwoog@optonline.net.

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Scarice: School District COVID Update

Posted on January 1, 2022 | 3 comments

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice sent this message today to Westport families:

As an interim follow-up to the message yesterday, I would like to share some additional updates regarding recent changes in isolation, quarantine and contact tracing guidelines, as well as an opportunity for COVID-19 testing for students and families this Monday.

As previously announced, Monday (January 3) will be a “staff only” day, as the winter break will be extended 1 day. Students are expected to return Tuesday.

Maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff, while keeping our students in school and engaged in all of their programs, remains our priority.

Possible COVID-19 Testing Clinic for Students Monday, January 3

In an effort to keep positive student cases out of our schools we are in the planning stages with Progressive Diagnostics, our partner with our in-school weekly testing program. Initial plans are being made to host a testing clinic for Westport Public School students and families this Monday. All family members will have the opportunity to be tested, and insurance will be billed.

The initial plan is to provide space in our Staples High School fieldhouse.  Appointments will be scheduled by Progressive through an on-line scheduler.  The link to schedule an appointment will be provided through a follow-up communication once the details have been finalized.

This is in the planning stages, but we wanted to make our students and families aware of this possibility given the lack of testing options in the region.

The Westport Public Schools have already offered several vaccination clinics for staff and students, in the Staples High School fieldhouse.

Changes in Isolation Guidelines

Last night,  the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) notified all superintendents that the state has adopted changes to the isolation, quarantine, and contact tracing guidelines.

Students and staff who test positive for COVID-19:

  • should isolate at home for at least 5 days, or longer if symptoms develop and persist,

  • wear a mask for the subsequent 5 days at all times when around others,

  • return to school on or after day 6 if symptoms have resolved, and they have been fever free for at least 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

This is a change from the previous isolation period of 10 days.

If your child has tested positive for COVID-19 on or before December 29, they can return to school on January 4 if they are symptom-free. Students who have tested positive after December 29 should remain home and isolate for 5 days and return to school on Day 6 if symptom free.

Contact Tracing and Quarantine Practices

Individual contact tracing is less effective when community transmission is high. This process further taxes our nurse and health staff, and our building administrators, to a point that it becomes more challenging to attend to the needs of the students currently in school.

Connecticut DPH has determined that routine contact tracing within the school buildings and during supervised activities can be discontinued. Our priority will be early identification of positive cases and assuring appropriate isolation.

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students and staff (defined has having only 1 dose of a 2-dose vaccine, or being within 2 weeks of the final dose) experiencing a high risk exposure incident outside of school (athletic event, sleepover, other similar activities) will:

  • quarantine for 5 days

  • obtain a test on day 5 with either with an at home or lab test and

  • return to school wearing a mask at all times when with others for up to 10 days.

Vaccinated school staff and students with an exposure outside of school may:

  • continue with in-person learning,

  • test with either an at home or lab test on day 5, and

  • wear a mask at all times.

Support for Students in Isolation or Quarantine

Part of the work over the vacation period and on Monday will be to provide as many supports for students in isolation or quarantine as possible. More information will be forthcoming at the end of the day on Monday on this effort.

Notifications of Positive Cases

When a positive case is identified, elementary classroom notifications will be made as well as grade level and school notifications. As the numbers of cases remains high, we will continue to report district numbers daily and maintain the district dashboard. This work is very demanding, and might not be entirely accurate at a given moment. We ask for your patience, and reiterate that the district will continue full transparency as we have done this entire pandemic.  Any delay is a matter of the human resources necessary to maintain our data.

Masks

Not only is universal masking still part of the governor’s Executive Order, but an increased emphasis on mask wearing will be implemented on our return on January 4. Staff and students will be required to wear face masks at all times when in the presence of staff and students.

  • The provision for teachers to remove masks when teaching from the front of the classroom will be suspended until further notice from the Superintendent’s office.

  • Reminders will be provided for all students to reinforce proper mask wearing.

  • There is significant “mask fatigue” in our community and our schools. Faculty, staff, and administrators are doing, and will continue to do their best to ensure proper mask wearing among our student population.

  • DPH has reinstated the use of masks for all athletes to continuously wear masks during athletic competitions.

  • In addition to our supply of KN95 masks for staff, the district anticipates a shipment of N95 masks from the state for staff use.

De-densification in the lunchroom

  • All efforts will be made to provide additional spacing between students while at lunch at all levels.

  • This task is very challenging, yet our school-based teams will continue to put thought into how to further “de-densify” our lunch settings.

Vaccination Efforts

We encourage all families that have not already done so, to get vaccinations and boosters 6 months after the last vaccinations of Pfizer and Moderna and 2 months after J & J vaccine  It is anticipated that the FDA will authorize boosters for 12-15 year-olds this week.

During this time of high transmission it is more important than ever, whether vaccinated, partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, to stay home when ill. Even mild symptoms such as headache, fatigue and nasal congestion can be signs of COVID-19. Stay home, test for COVID-19 with either an at-home or lab test, and remain home until you are symptom free for at least 24 hours.

You can anticipate an additional update by the end of the weekend. In the interim, please stay healthy and rest assured that the district is working continuously on maintaining the health and safety of our students and staff, while keeping our students in school and engaged in all of their programs.

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Posted in Children, Education

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Tooker: Mask Up In Town-Owned Buildings

Posted on December 23, 2021 | 8 comments

First Selectwoman Jen Tooker says:

Westport’s COVID-19 Emergency Management Team is tracking and assessing transmission rates in Westport, Connecticut and the nation, specifically as they relate to the COVID-19 Delta and Omicron variants.

After consideration and consultation with health officials and municipal leaders, effective Monday (December 27), all vaccinated or non-vaccinated individuals will be required to wear a mask indoors in town-owned buildings. These include Town Hall, the Senior Center and Westport Library.

In cooperation with town officials, Progressive Diagnostics anticipates opening a COVID testing center at Greens Farms railroad station on or about January 1. Details will be announced soon.

At the Senior Center, there will no indoor programs or congregate lunches the week of December 27.  Classes will be held via Zoom. The lunch program will take place as a drive-thru at noon on December 27, 28 and 29. The Senior Center is closed December 30 and 31. In-house programs resume Monday, January 3.

Health officials note that all who are able and eligible should get fully vaccinated. and a booster, as soon as possible. Getting fully vaccinated – including receiving a booster shot, wearing a mask indoors in any public setting and maintaining social distancing. remain the most reliable ways of limiting exposure and transmission.

Even if you are not experiencing symptoms, COVID testing is encouraged to determine if you have the virus, and can take necessary precautions to avoid the spread to family, friends and those who are vulnerable.

Fortunately, although the Omicron variant is highly contagious and transmissible, people who are vaccinated and boosted are experiencing less severe symptoms if they test positive.

Cases have increased rapidly across the Northeast. Westport Weston Health District director Mark Cooper says, “Of the new cases reported in Westport, 37% are in fully vaccinated individuals (those who have received 2 Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or 1 Johnson & Johnson). Those who have received the booster make up about 2.6% of the new cases.”

Additional information on the virus, testing and boosters is available at www.WWHD.org and https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus

Please remain cautious and safe, especially during this holiday season. If you are not already fully vaccinated, please get a booster. Continue to be proactive, wear a mask indoors in congregant settings, and get tested.

With everyone’s cooperation, we can look forward to having a happy and healthy holiday season and new year in Westport.

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Posted in Library, Local politics

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Scarice: Increased Mitigation; No Remote Learning

Posted on December 21, 2021 | 1 comment

This afternoon, Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice sent this message to all Westport Public Schools families:

Throughout the pandemic, our community and our schools have been able to flexibly adapt our mitigating measures in order to respond to the changing conditions. Our benchmark has been to continually review our strategies and consider changes every 4-6 weeks, sometimes sooner. However, the recent sharp increase in cases over the past 4 or 5 days warrants action.

The district has increased the frequency of reporting cases in direct proportion to the increase in the volume of positive tests. Our weekly screening program, administered yesterday, identified 12 asymptomatic cases. In addition, since this morning, another 18 cases have been reported. The town of Westport has reported 113 cases this week, up from a total of 41 last week.

Nearly all who have tested positive report mild to moderate symptoms. Based on minimal transmission in the school setting compared to the community, we continue to believe that our schools may be one of the safest places for our students to be.

With strong mitigation, schools are safe during COVID. (Photo Lynn Untermeyer Miller)

Increase in Mitigating Measures
However, in order to strengthen our measures and keep our students and staff safe, we will take actions to limit activities we believe may contribute to the potential of spread within our schools at this point in time. These measures include:

  • The grade 8 trip to Staples High School for the Candlelight performance will be canceled. Other opportunities will be explored
  • Holiday parties in the classroom will continue, with an emphasis on social distancing
  • Effective immediately, parent and school visitors will be restricted from accessing our school buildings through January 7.
  • Concerts/performances will not be held through January 7.

While we regret having to take these measures just prior to the holiday, it is our hope that this present wave of COVID-19 will subside and our cases will decrease which will allow mitigating measures to be relaxed.

Remote Learning
I have received a couple of inquiries regarding a preemptive move to remote learning. Remote learning is not an option for districts this year.

Districts are not permitted to implement remote instruction as a school, or as a district, preemptively like last year. School districts are able to implement continued educational opportunities (tutoring, remote contact with teachers outside of the classroom, before and after school programs, etc.) for students who must be in COVID-19 isolation or quarantine. This year, school districts are not permitted to implement remote learning. That provision was removed prior to the start of the school year.

Learning remotely — as shown with teacher Peter von Euler last year — is no longer a school-wide option.

Again, based on our data and experience over the past 2 school years, we continue to maintain a safe environment for our students and staff, with minimal transmission of the virus in our settings, particularly when compared to community transmission rates. Maintaining continued contact with peers and faculty, while attending to the social/emotional needs of our students is critical to their long term mental health and overall wellness.

We will continue to monitor cases throughout our break and provide case updates through our emails. Families are asked to continue to report positive cases through our hotline. Please note that contact tracing will be limited throughout the break.

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