Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
There Were Over 4,000 Covid Cases In Indiana School Kids This Week
Indianapolis Star: More Than 50,000 School Children Have Tested Positive for COVID-19 This Semester
Reported cases of COVID-19 cases among Indiana's K-12 students jumped back up this week, after taking a dip around the Thanksgiving holiday. There were 4,321 new cases reported among students this week, the highest number of newly-reported cases since mid-September. Cases among students had dropped consistently for nearly two months until they began to tick back up at the start of last month. In addition to student cases, 265 new cases were reported among teachers and another 442 among other staff members. (Herron, 12/6)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kagel School Temporarily Transitions To Virtual Learning Due To COVID
Milwaukee's Albert E. Kagel School is temporarily transitioning to virtual learning after 3% or more of the total school population tested positive for COVID-19 within a 14-day period, according to a Monday evening news release from Milwaukee Public Schools. The school will start virtual learning on Tuesday and return to in-person on Dec. 17. (Kirby, 12/6)
Chicago Tribune: After School Aide's COVID Death, Coworkers Seek Stronger Protocols
Longtime Chicago Public Schools employee jonL Bush had been working toward becoming a special education teacher before he died last month of coronavirus at the age of 44. “He’s friendly. He’s humorous. He’s understanding,” Bush’s mother, Claudette, told the Tribune. “His personality, even when he was working as a security guard, he was the go-to person. He was the chaperone when you go on a field trip. He didn’t just do his job from 9 to 5. He did it full-fledged.” At a news conference Monday outside the South Side school where her son worked as a special education classroom assistant, Claudette Bush called on the school district to strengthen its COVID-19 protocols to prevent other deaths. jonL Bush died Nov. 26, with obesity and hypertension listed as secondary causes, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. His mother said he was fully vaccinated. (Swartz, Petrella and Pratt, 12/6)
The Advocate: Louisiana Lawmakers Ask Gov. John Bel Edwards To Reject Rule Adding COVID Vaccine To School Shot List
Louisiana lawmakers voted Monday to reject Gov. John Bel Edwards' proposal to require students get vaccinated against COVID-19 before entering school, though the Democratic governor has said he intends to override legislative rejection and move forward with adding the vaccine to the state immunization schedule. Following an hours-long oversight hearing chock-full of misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines, the Louisiana House Committee on Health & Welfare voted 13-2 to oppose the rule, with a string of mostly Republican lawmakers labeling it a form of government overreach that infringes on parental choice, despite Louisiana's exceptionally broad opt-out provisions. (Paterson, 12/6)
Cincinnati Enquirer: Miami, UC Mandate Results: What Happens to Unvaccinated Students, Employees?
The deadline for students and workers at two of the Cincinnati region's biggest universities to get their COVID-19 vaccinations has passed. Compliance rates at Miami University and the University of Cincinnati vary between main and regional campuses as well as among students, faculty and staff. At Miami, compliance rates among students were higher than employees, with Miami staff holding the institution's highest unvaccinated rate of 7.68%, according to data provided by the university. (Mitchell, 12/7)
In mental health news —
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Las Vegas Sisters Help Give Nevada Students Mental Health Days
Taking inspiration from a teen in another state, two sisters in Las Vegas have helped make mental health a priority for students in Nevada. Caroline and Lauren Edgeworth, with the help of community groups and state Sen. Marilyn Dondero Loop, D-Las Vegas, pushed legislation that would allow Nevada students ages 7-18 to take up to three mental health days a year and adds mental health resources to the back of all student ID cards statewide. (Dylan, 12/6)
New Hampshire Public Radio: How The Pandemic Had A 'Massive Effect' On N.H. Kids' Mental Health
It’s been a difficult time for families throughout the pandemic, with school closures and so much uncertainty. A new report from New Hampshire’s Office of the Child Advocate highlights how children, in particular, have been harmed by the pandemic. NHPR’s Morning Edition host Rick Ganley spoke with Moira O’Neill, the state’s Child Advocate, more about those findings. (McIntyre and Ganley, 12/6)
Also —
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: University Of Georgia To Clean Dorms Amid Student Health Complaints
The University of Georgia said Monday crews will soon conduct deep cleanings and make some repairs to several student housing complexes after a recent groundswell of parent complaints about their children getting sick on campus. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution last week reported many students — primarily in their first year on campus — are complaining of intense coughing, severe sore throat, congestion and other health conditions. They say it’s because rooms are improperly ventilated, old, need air filter replacements or have mold. (Stirgus, 12/6)
