Thread by @ccsdcovid

Correct link for @AJC community conversation with school leaders re:#COVID19:

@ajc, chat is disabled for the community conversation.

@ajc @ajc, since chat is disabled, here is what I want to know from the @CobbSchools super Ragsdale---The evidence is in. Masks are reducing transmission. Just compare 14-day per 100K for 5-17 for Gwinnett (415) and Cobb (918). Will you mandate masks, even temporarily? If not, why?

@ajc @ajc, @CobbSchools is using quarantine-at-school but NOT limiting only to those students who were masked at point of exposure

@ajc @CobbSchools super is now speaking on quarantine: @CobbSchools has no mask mandate, so they are NOT following that requirement for quarantine-at-school. Students are not necessarily masked when exposed. And, students are not able to access live instruction when quarantine

@ajc @ajc, at least 1 @CobbSchools teacher is currently hospitalized with COVID. A drive has died of it this school year. Please directly ask Ragsdale why he refuses to issue a mask mandate, temporary or not. 5-17 Case rate is nearly double Gwinnetts (918 vs. 415).

@ajc Ragsdale mentioned the quarantine-at-school. Looney spoke prior and was correct. It cannot be used unless masks were worn when exposed. @CobbSchools is not following this from @GaDPH

@ajc Ragsdale didn't directly answer question about instruction during quarantine.

@ajc Ragsdale refuses to answer question about mandatory masking to follow flexible quarantine policy from @GaDPH. @ajc, please fact check him. The guidance from DPH is clear. It ONLY applies when masks were worn at exposure. @CobbSchools is NOT adhering. This is the flow chart

@ajc Almost all questions are directed to Ragsdale.

@ajc Great question 'Mr. Ragsdale, can you pls publicly respond to the recent letter from 240 Cobb physicians, as well as the Children's Hospital Association CEO letter, asking for universal masking in schools?'

@ajc Great question: '​Mr. Ragsdale are you worried about personal liability of the consequences of your unilateral decision to remain mask optional as this is against public health recommendation.'

@ajc Great Question: 'How do you propose we remove the politicization of the pandemic and focus on school safety? Specifically wondering for Cobb, but interested in all responses.'

@ajc Ragsdale of @CobbSchools on vaccine mandate for teachers/students: "We are not looking to mandate vaccination" "We strongly encourage those who are comfortable" "We are looking to provide incentives" "Up to the family"

@ajc Great Question: 'question for mr ragsdale... Why wouldnt you show your respect to Mr. keys when his obit asked to wear a mask to honor his memory. the rule about not reacting to public had not been passed yet.'

@ajc Great Question: 'Does Mr. Ragsdale have a metric or threshold at which he would then consider a universal mask mandate? If the data shows more clusters in mask optional schools, would you change your mind?'

@ajc Not a single question I identified as a great question was answered, @ajc. Please consider having the supers provide responses after the event to each of them, perhaps in @AJCGetSchooled

@ajc Great Question: 'How many sick children is too many for Superintendent Ragsdale. Obviously over 2700 isn’t enough. What is that number?'

@ajc Ragsdale on this year: 'I actually said to my executive cabinet [...] that [...] going to be much more difficult'. Weird, he flat out said different to teachers during pre-planning, @AJC.

@ajc Great Question: '​Ragsdale: why were masks mandatory last year when variant was less contagious, but with delta it’s optional?'

@ajc Great Question: 'Ragsdale, you've stated that there is no way to stop the spread. with 99% in school, why would you allow this to happen?'

@ajc #truth: '​Last year, Mr. Ragsdale was concerned about the school board elections so his 3 could keep their seats and he could keep his job. So he had to have the safety measures to keep seats.'

@ajc Well said: '​I just want to feel that I'm safe teaching and my daughter is safe at her school. It feels like its when we get Covid and not if at this point. Terrifying.'

@ajc Looney, Herring, and Beasley all pointed out it takes everyone working together to reduce transmission. But, @CobbSchools is deliberately taking actions that work against reducing transmission. Ragsdale's inaction is making things worth.

@ajc Panel ended at 6:03pm.

@ajc @threadreaderapp unroll, please