by Samantha Wilson
For students who are immunocompromised, COVID didn’t magically go away. In fact, with the prediction of an upcoming severe flu season there is a valid reason for concern. The reason the pandemic has subsided is due to the prevalence of vaccines and those taking them, but as people’s adherence wane, and as the flu season kicks in, not only should we prepare to be vigilant, we also need to question what measures the school should take and is taking. For example, there have been recent COVID cases but it appears that we are no longer being alerted of contacted like we have been in the past.
Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, Irvington High School’s response to COVID was apparent. COVID tests were given to students, optional testing was available in the CPR at one point, there were limits to how many people could sit at a lunch table, and there were notification of potential exposures in Irvington School District. Overall, Irvington Schools did just about as much as you could ask of a school district in response to the pandemic, however, lately the response to COVID-19 that was once very strong has morphed into something that lacks the same degree of transparency.
It recently came to my attention that I, myself was likely in contact with a faculty member and student who had COVID, but I was never informed. To some, this may not be a big deal, but to those of us who are immunocompromised the effects of COVID continue to be a concern.
While vaccines have lessened much of our risks and drastically reduced deaths and hospitalizations, it cannot be taken for granted that there are some with compromised immune systems in the school or have grandparents or immunocompromised adults living with them still need be notified if they’ve had an exposure.
As a matter of fact my father contracted COVID just ahead of summer, a time when cases were dwindling, and an otherwise healthy adult ended up with bronchitis, pneumonia, and three cracked ribs. He was fully vaccinated yet an exposure still left him with a severe case of COVID.
While many may feel the risk has subsided, for those with autoimmune conditions or vulnerable adults living with them, there is no reason we shouldn’t be offered this extra precaution.
