Palmetto State News

School is back in session, and along with it much debate over the necessity—and effectiveness—of masks, vaccinations and other COVID-19 protocols in the classroom. 

In July, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) issued a recommendation encouraging mask-wearing among all able-bodied faculty and students, a minimum of 3 feet in social distancing and rigorous contact tracing. Ron Aiken, the DHEC media relations manager, pointed out that the COVID-19 vaccine is not the first to be strongly recommended for public schools. 

"From a public health standpoint, our goal is to minimize the risks of disease spread, which is why some shots are required to attend school, and others are recommended. COVID-19 vaccines are not required but are strongly recommended," Aiken told Palmetto State News. 

Aiken said that several schools across South Carolina have reverted back to virtual learning as the delta variant rips through the state, prompting the DHEC's decision to recommend precautions. According to the DHEC school COVID-19 dashboard, the number of reported cases among school students was nearly 6,900 as of Sept. 12, already approaching half of the all-time reported cases among South Carolina students for the entire 2020-2021 school year. 

Why is the state seeing nearly half of the last academic year's historical cases less than a full month into this year? According to Aiken, it is "due to lagging vaccination rates and the highly contagious nature of the delta variant."

"Together, we can reduce COVID-19 in schools and keep our children healthy and at school by wearing masks indoors and getting fully vaccinated," Aiken said. "Both actions are safe and effective. That is why we strongly encourage masking in South Carolina schools, and urge all residents ages 12 and up to get vaccinated."

Regarding the difference between the spread of COVID-19 and influenza in South Carolina classrooms, Aiken pointed out Centers for Disease Control (CDC) data which shows that while the flu and the COVID-19 virus are both contagious respiratory illnesses, COVID spreads more easily and causes more severe symptoms. 

Schools across the state are sending students back home and re-establishing the virtual learning model as they are overwhelmed by virus numbers. 

Do any schools have a fighting chance at prolonged in-person instruction this year?

Without consistent masking and vaccination efforts, the odds could ay be significantly lower. 

The Columbia City Council recently voted to mandate masks for staff and students in Columbia public schools for the upcoming school year. However, Gov. Henry McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes said the order goes against an amendment attached to the state budget banning K-12 public schools from imposing mask and vaccine mandates on students, faculty and staff.

"State law prohibits mask mandates in public schools, and the city’s ordinance would require teachers and administrators to violate state law,” McMaster said according to MSN. 

The University of South Carolina rescinded its indoor mask mandate Tuesday after South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson forwarded an opinion to the university’s interim president Harris Pastides, stating the order violates the budget amendment.

"If South Carolina can increase its masking and vaccination rates among eligible school-age children, teachers, and faculty, that would greatly increase the ability for in-person learning to be safe and effective," Aiken said.