Additional resources

 OHA COVID-19 vaccine website: covidvaccine.oregon.gov

 OHA Facebook

 Safe+Strong website

 Ask a Black Doctor on The Numberz

 REACH webpage and REACH Facebook

 ODE: Planning for the 2022-23 School Year

COVID-19 & Back to school

Q1: What can students and families expect for the 2022-23 school year?

Oregon schools have taken strong steps to limit the spread of the virus in schools. School

districts will continue making health and safety decisions for their schools to best meet the

needs of local communities.

Learning from last year, and what we know now about COVID-19, there are health

and safety recommendations and requirements that all K-12 public, charter, and

private schools must follow. For example, the Oregon Department of Education

(ODE) has advised schools to use these tools for protecting students and staff against

COVID-19:

 Vaccination for those eligible,

 Face coverings,

 Physical distancing,

 Ventilation and airflow,

 Handwashing, and

 Staying home if ill

OHA 3900 (9/28/2021)

Q2: How can families help everyone stay safe as kids head back to the classroom?

For parents, getting your children vaccinated against COVID-19 is an easy and safe way to

help protect your whole family. COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for children 6

months and older. The vaccines were tested over several months and with thousands of

children from several races and ethnicities.

All of us can still take simple steps to look after our fellow Oregonians, especially as school

starts. Along with being up to date with vaccinations, each of us still can wear well-fitting

masks in indoor settings. For those at high risk, or those who care for or live with someone at

high risk, wearing a mask in indoor public places offers extra protection. Wearing a mask in

areas of the state seeing higher COVID-19 transmission also provides protections to others

around you.

Q3: Should families be worried about hMPXV spreading at school?

School settings present low risk for transmission of monkeypox. As we continue to

face this outbreak, there will be students, staff or teachers who are diagnosed with

monkeypox. The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) encourages them to stay

home if they are sick or develop a new rash. Seek care for testing and treatment.

This will help minimize potential exposures – even exposures that present low risks

for transmission – in schools.

ODE is asking schools to plan for how they will support staff and students who may

have prolonged times isolating at home while they recover.

Anyone with prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an individual with monkeypox can

get monkeypox. Right now, the disease is spreading primarily in gay, bisexual or

queer men who report recent sexual activity with other men. But anyone can get

Monkeypox.

Document accessibility: For individuals with disabilities or individuals who speak a

language other than English, OHA can provide information in alternate formats such as

translations, large print, or braille. Contact the Health Information Center at 1-971-673-

2411, 711 TTY or [email protected].