#BREAKING - the Arizona back to school metrics are out. There is a lot of information about recommendations for returning to learning, so try to hang with me here
There will be a red, yellow, green system. Red meaning schools should do all virtual learning, yellow meaning hybrid, and green meaning full in person back to school. They will be based on certain criteria 
On a county by county basis, the metrics will look for below 100 cases per 100k population OR a two week decline in cases, two weeks with percent positivity of cases below 7%, and two weeks with Covid hospital visits below 10%
If any ONE metric is in red - all virtual learning is suggested. Right now there are NO counties that don’t have a “red” metric. Mix of yellow and green would mean hybrid learning - both in person and virtual. Green means everyone can come back
Some counties are close on the metrics. The metrics are for a two week period with a 12 day lag. Officials say they wanted to make sure they had complete data. Districts will be working with county health departments to make decisions.
These metrics don’t apply to the August 17th in-person learning option that all districts must have. This was set up for children with special needs or essential workers who needed a place for their children
Here’s what the school data dashboard will look like. It will be updated once a week, again using data with a 12 day lag
Now, here’s the big thing. A district could hypothetically have all red metrics and still choose to open. It ultimately is up to them and county health departments
Superintendent Kathy Hoffman says that if districts are open and in the red, teachers probably won’t show up. Says she’d encourage districts to choose one or the other - all virtual or all in person - if they have staffing issues
AZ DHS is partnering with Embry and schools to provide free testing to students and parents. Right now they have things set up with Mesa, Chandler, Cartwright, Avondale. Some testing sites will be 24/7
Speaking of testing - Dr. Cara Christ says the largest lab the state relies on - Sonora Quest - has their backlog cleared and they’re back to 2-3 day turnaround times
Also interesting - if you take a look at the benchmarks, the protocols are much more strict (social distancing, hand washing, masks, cancelled trips, etc.) in red and yellow. But if a school gets to green, mask mandate goes away, field trips could potentially resume
