Thread by @CADeptEd

Stronger Together: Rapid COVID-19 Tests - A Strategy to Reopen Schools:
facebook.com/CAEducation/vi…

State Superintendent @TonyThurmond: As our schools try to open, it's important for schools to get all the information they need to open. It is in that spirit that CDE is here to talk about rapid COVID testing.

State Superintendent @TonyThurmond: We will use BinaxNOW COVID-19 Cards, which provide test results in 15 minutes at a low cost of $5 per test, at our three State Special Schools to facilitate a safe return of students.

.@drcharitydean on why rapid COVID testing is a great tool: There are three main types of tests. They are used to answer two different questions: 1) Am I actively infected? 2) Was I infected?

.@drcharitydean: Rapid testing is a key component of a larger safe reopening strategy. It's critical that it's fast, cheap and easy. It can supercharge the effort to get kids back to school safely. Rapid antigen tests enables fast ID and isolation. Good for public health.

.@drcharitydean: Antigen tests are fast, accurate and low cost, and fit the needs of schools to help keep others safe. Testing is not a substitute for good infection control. It is a piece of a larger effort to reopen schools safely. It compliments safety measures at schools.

.@dr_tonyiton speaking about a pilot in 11 school districts: Started with conversations in L.A. County districts with @CAPublicHealth and funders to work on the issue of schools. The goal is to help California schools safely reopen.

.@dr_tonyiton Safely Opening Schools is committed to advancing racial equity. There are three pillars for a successful antigen testing program: test kit access, training and a data platform.

.@dr_tonyiton: Test kits are available for free for schools in the pilot. May need to purchase more later in year. FDA approved for use under a "CLIA waiver." Free training from safelyopeningschools.org & CDPH. Twice weekly testing on-site in districts and scaling across districts

Superintendent Roy Meniola, McSwain Union Elementary School District, on how the pilot project is working: It was presented as a voluntary opportunity to keep each other safe. Results were pretty impressive. We registered and on-boarded people. People got results.

Superintendent Roy Meniola, McSwain Union Elementary School District, on how the pilot project is working: Had had five positive antigen tests so far out of 1000+ tests, caught staff early on, sent them home right away, and there were no close contact situations.

Superintendent Roy Meniola, McSwain Union Elementary School District, on how the pilot project is working: I've got 9 classified employees who can test others. We have 3 stations to do the testing: Registrations, self-swabs, result reading. Results automatically go to health dept

Lisa Constancio, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction, on funding available for districts to purchase tests like the BinaxNOW COVID-19 Cards: Stemming from the first CARES Act: ESSER 1 funds, GEER (part of LLMF). and also ESSER 2, and AB 86 In-Person Instruction Grants.

Q&A section: Any additional questions can be sent to [e-mail].

Superintendent @Tonythurmond answering question on eligibility: Really only a three question survey to start out with. Any district is eligible, and able to use CARES act funding. Any district can participate and we want to hear from you on how we can help.

State Superintendent @TonyThurmond: We continue to be grateful of the hard work of our schools, and the resilience of students and parents. We understand the importance of creating an opportunity for our students to return safely to schools. Stay safe, and stay tuned for more.