As more COVID-19 boosters are administered to healthcare workers, new cases have dropped by 14 percent among residents at these facilities and 30 percent among staff members.
County officials noted that a Feb. 1 deadline is approaching for all healthcare workers—who are required to get vaccinated against COVID-19—to receive a booster shot as well.
Meanwhile, the Los Angele Unified School District (LAUSD) is requiring all students to wear “well-fitting, non-cloth masks with a nose wire” and employees to wear surgical or higher grade masks. As of Jan. 25, these masks are required for students both indoors and outdoors on campus.
Exemptions are available for students with a medical condition.
In addition to the school policy change, a state legislator also introduced another bill to minimize COVID-19 infections for children.
Sen. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) proposed a new bill Jan. 24 to close personal belief exemption for COVID-19 school vaccination and make the COVID vaccine a requirement to attend K–12 schools.
Known as the Keep Schools Open and Safe Act, Pan’s new legislation builds on Senate Bill 277, which prohibits schools to admit the students unconditionally unless he or she has been fully immunized against COVID-19.
Pan, who is also a pediatrician, said the most effective way to keep schools safe and open is to ensure a high vaccination rate in addition to the existing COVID-19 restrictions.
“My legislation will give parents great certainty that their child is unlikely to get seriously sick and their school will stay open during COVID,” Pan said.
The bill is supported by LAUSD Board President Kelly Gonez and Interim Superintendent Megan Reilly.
