The date that the Governor recommended as a start to in-person learning for Kentucky schools is quickly approaching. So are we ready? “I believe that by September 28th it will be time in counties that choose to move forward,” said Governor Andy Beshear at Tuesday’s Coronavirus press briefing. The Governor is hopeful that if Kentucky’s positivity rate can remain fairly low and steady, that schools can safely open their doors with the understanding that things can change quickly.
Green County had to make adjustments last month. They opened to in-person classes in August and had to switch to NTI within days because the virus was spreading in the community. Beshear said "everyone is trying" but we’ve learned that “just because someone says alright we’re going to in-person classes on September 28th, it can’t be and we’re going to do that no matter what. It has to be if the community spread is getting really big we realize where we are and if we want the best shot of having the most days in class than we’ve got to follow that advice.”
Beshear has spoken to some school administrators who against his and state medical officials' recommendations, have already begun in-classroom learning. The Governor believes that the key to success will be school administrators’ abilities to make good decisions under pressure. “Under pressure people can make bad decisions that’s just natural.” Beshear said “Needing to be open, needing to work with the local health department, not refusing calls, not refusing the advice that’s given. We need people to basically say we’re going to operate under our plan but once we have a positive the local health departments coming in and we’re going to listen and we’re going to do what they say.”
Local health departments are tasked with helping schools with contact tracing when a positive case is identified, however many say they are stretched to the limit and are relying on school administrators to help with the process.