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Face masks will be mandatory in the Dallas Independent School District starting Tuesday, Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said at a press conference Monday morning.
“Effective Tuesday, August 10, to protect staff and students from the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, Dallas ISD is temporarily requiring all staff, students and visitors to wear masks while on the premises. district ownership. “
Hinojosa, who runs the largest school district in North Texas and the second in the state, referred to UT Southwestern’s recent COVID-19 forecast that predicts a worrying increase in virus-related hospitalizations by the end of this month if behaviors do not change. .
According to the study, if behavior in Dallas and Tarrant counties continues in the current unmitigated pre-pandemic patterns, without masking or social distancing, the number of occupied hospital beds in Dallas County is expected to reach 1 500 by August 23 and could reach 4,000 by October.
“As a parent, resident and judge of Dallas County, I am so proud of [Dallas ISD] to protect students and staff! “wrote Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins in a tweet shortly after Hinojosa’s announcement.
Hinojosa told NBC 5 last week that he is investigating whether or not Dallas can have virtual as an option later this year.
Campuses have safety plans in place, which include encouraging students to wear masks, social distancing, disinfection and temperature checks.
“I’m ready to take a look and see what we can do because things have changed, the narrative has changed over the past six weeks,” Hinojosa said. “Maybe I should have the option in my back pocket because I don’t want the kids out of school somewhere.”
Hinojosa’s motivation lies in the first schools which started this week. He said half of the expected students did not show up.
“We only had half the kids in our five schools compared to our planned enrollment, that tells me people aren’t coming back,” Hinojosa said. “Next Monday, we will have 41 more cases. By next Wednesday, I will know a lot more about the seriousness with which we will have to set up this virtual program.”
Hinojosa and leaders of other school districts are trying to find a way to pay for virtual programs, as TEA has said it will not give districts money for virtual programs.
Gov. Greg Abbott has announced another special session, so the question now is whether lawmakers can do anything to help.
As the school district welcomes its second wave of returning students, Dallas ISD operates on three different school calendars to help some students catch up after a year of virtual learning.
A total of 41 schools are participating in an intercessory calendar, giving them an additional five weeks of instruction to make up for lost time and opportunities during the pandemic.
The third and final wave of returning students – which includes most of the district’s students and campuses – will take place on August 16.
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