March 11, 2022, was the last day that students who attend Sierra Pacific High School or the other schools in the Hanford Joint Union High School Districts were required to wear their masks on school grounds. This uplift applies to all students whether they have completed their vaccination or not. The school and staff are still recommending that masks are to still be worn but it is all based on the comfortability of the students.
Governor Gavin Newsom, governor of California, announced this uplift and an updated protocol on Feb 28.
“After March 11, schools and child care facilities, masks will not be required but will be strongly recommended,” Newsom stated.
Kennedy Usher, a sophomore attending Sierra Pacific, likes this uplift because it gives her a chance to see what her classmates really look like.
“Personally, I am happy about uplifting the mask rule because it’s nice to see everyone’s faces again and it’s much easier to understand people when they’re talking,” said Usher.
Another Sierra Pacific sophomore, Josiah Solis, likes that he no longer has to worry about forgetting masks anymore.
“I like it [the uplifting of the masks], I never came to school with a mask so it relieves the struggle of asking any of my friends if they have an extra.” Solis states.
Very recently, the percentage of positive cases in King’s County is about 20% according to the latest map and case count in Kings County by New York Times. Even though protocol and the strictness of keeping ourselves and others protected from Covid-19 has loosened up a little bit, Covid-19 has not just magically disappeared.
According to Newsom, no one knows if it will ever truly go away.
“We cannot predict the future of the virus, but we are better prepared for it and will continue to take measures rooted in science to keep California moving forward,” Newsom states.
All students of HJUHSD received three separate emails of this recently updated information from Superintendent Victor Rosa.
Sierra Pacific is still going to continue working on maintaining a healthy, safe, and clean environment for all students and staff, and quarantining will still take place if tested positive based on Superintendent Rosa’s emails. There is a minimum of five days of quarantining required after testing positive for Covid-19. The symptoms are simple to catch on to, recognize, and have been the same for a while now. These include fevers or chills, shortness of breath, headaches, sore throats, congestion, etc. If any or all of these apply it is best to stay at home until feeling better for the safety of you and those around you at school.
Before coming back to school there must be proof of a negative test. If one ends up in close contact with someone who did test positive for Covid-19, it is a requirement to quarantine for a total of 10 days before being allowed to return to school.
Vaccinations continue to be optional in the state of California but are very recommended for your safety and the safety of others.
“There is no mandate or law in place that requires COVID vaccination” Rosa also stated.
Many have already gotten different forms of it but it continues to be a choice of your own. However, protocols are slightly different for people who are vaccinated rather than those who are.