The Impact of Delta Variant on Monroe

News

Word Count: 272

By KILLIAN IRISH-DONINI

The Delta Variant is a recent development of the worldwide pandemic COVID-19,  popping up around the country. Delta is only partially responsible for the mandation of masks in schools, however, it is having a large effect on state wide shutdowns. This August, in a nationwide test to measure the amount of childhood cases within a six day time span, there was an average of 330 kids admitted to a hospital per day. The students and staffing of Masuk continue to feel the impact of COVID-19 everyday within the school as well as their community. Due to the spike of breakthrough cases throughout the area, the mask mandate in the lower Fairfield County is being renewed in multiple towns, including Westport, Fairfield, Easton, Norwalk, and Stamford. However, while Monroe is without a mandate for public gatherings, it remains in schools, causing a division between students. While some students are uncomfortable wearing masks, there stands a very large group of students and staff who are okay and comfortable  with them. A sophomore, Josh Scinto, says “I don’t mind wearing them. I think that if it will help to reduce COVID-19 cases among students and keep us in school instead of at home and online, then it’s a good thing.” While COVID-19 cases have been lowering since 2020, these breakthrough cases have caused a recent spike, resulting in COVID-19 protocols to be reinstated. However, there is almost a  With almost 30% of Monroe’s population remaining unvaccinated, Monroe has returned to a red zone, with 28 cases per 100,000 people. Masuk remains with under 14 students quarantined, as well as less than 6 students with confirmed cases. However, if successful, the new mandation of masks around Fairfield County should drastically decrease cases.