State Schools Chief Says It's Inevitable Reopened LB Schools Will Have COVID Outbreaks Similar To Those In Earlier Opened L. A. Schools But Says Issue Now Is How To Handle It; LBUSD Sup't Says Teams at Schools Are Trained To Contact-Trace, Minimize And Contain Exposure But Offers No Further Details

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State Schools Chief Says It's Inevitable Reopened LB Schools Will Have COVID Outbreaks Similar To Those In Earlier Opened L.A. Schools But Says Issue Now Is How To Handle It; LBUSD Sup't Says Teams at Schools Are Trained To Contact-Trace, Minimize And Contain Exposure But Offers No Further Details

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(Sept. 1, 2021, 5:20 a.m.) -- Responding to a question by LBREPORT.com at an Aug. 31 press event marking the reopening of LBUSD schools, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said it's "inevitable" that Long Beach schools will likely see COVID-19 outbreaks similar to those now affecting several thousand students and teachers (thus far) in previously opened Los Angeles County school districts...and said the issue now is how to deal with it.

"It is inevitable there might be some outbreaks and that it just comes with the territory. Our public health experts have said to us 'the more you test, the more you're going to find more cases. It's what we do about it and the quarantine that makes a difference." Mr. Thurmond invited LBUSD's Board President or Superintendent (seated on the speakers podium) to respond further if they wished.

Elected School Board President Dr. Juan Benitez didn't respond, leaving LBUSD Superintendent Baker to field the question. Superintendent Baker said:

"We have teams trained at our schools that are trained to contact-trace and to work our control office staff around contact tracing so that we minimize any exposure that happens and contain the exposure that happens, to add to what Mr. Thurmond said."

Superintendent Baker didn't respond to part of LBREPORT.com's question asking what level of COVID-19 infections would trigger a change

LBUSD management said in mid-August public meetings that it has plans in place if COVID conditions change but declined to provide details at that time (and LB's elected School Board members didn't pursue the issue.)

The K-5 children used as a backdrop at Roosevelt Elementary School are entirely unvaccinated (those under age 12 are ineligible for the vaccine for now.) LBUSD's current policy will have LBUSD parents/students self-administer weekly nasal swab tests and communicate positive results to their schools.

LBUSD students above age 12, and all teachers and staff at all grade levels, need not be vaccinated but must submit to weekly COVID-19 tests as LBUSD also implements other health and safety protocols that include:

Everyone is expected to wear face masks while indoors.

Everyone is being asked to assess for COVID-19 symptoms prior to arrival on campus.

Employees are required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit to weekly, asymptomatic COVID-19 testing.

Unvaccinated students are being tested weekly for at least the first three weeks of school.

Ventilation has been optimized in classrooms.

Custodial staff are providing additional cleaning and sanitization of school facilities.

Good hand hygiene (including washing and sanitizing) is continuously encouraged.

Case reporting, contact tracing and -- if necessary -- home quarantine will be implemented.