South Carolina’s superintendent of education joined the Wednesday Department of Health and Environmental Control COVID-19 briefing.
Much of the discussion focused on what Superintendent Molly Spearman described as “chaos” following Gov. Henry McMasters’ executive order rescinding mandated mask-wearing in schools.
The announcement came in an evening news release from the governor saying, “Executive Order 2021-23 empowers South Carolina parents to decide whether their children should wear masks in public schools throughout the state. The governor’s order also explicitly prohibits any county or local governments in the state from relying on prior orders or using a state of emergency as the basis for a local mask mandate for any reason.”
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Spearman said, “I did not agree with the executive order. I did not speak with the governor; he did not ask my opinion.”
She said one of her concerns is the possible liability a district may face if a student or teacher contracts COVID-19 now that masks are not mandated.
The state legislature this year passed — and the governor signed —the Liability Immunity Act, also known as “Safe Harbor.” It protects health care providers and businesses that follow public health guidance.
Spearman said it is unclear how this, combined with the governor’s rescinding mask-wearing in schools, impacts school districts.
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She said, “Safe Harbor covers school districts if they follow DHEC guidelines and DHEC recommends mask-wearing.”
DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer and Spearman agree they would have preferred mask-wearing remain in effect until the end of this school year.
Simmer added, “Our hope is schools and parents will do the right thing and continue to wear masks.”
Turning the briefing to COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 12 to 15, DHEC Public Health Director Dr. Brannon Traxler said it will add about 190,000 people to the number who are eligible for vaccinations in the Palmetto State.
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She said they are talking with schools about the logistics of partnering with them to provide vaccination clinics.
“Some of the storage requirements for the Pfizer vaccine can make it challenging but we think that can be overcome,” said Traxler.
The FDA issued an Emergency Use Authorization approval Monday for the Pfizer vaccine to be given the 12 to 15-year-old group. Georgia began vaccinating the younger children Tuesday, but South Carolina is waiting for the CDC’s final recommendation which is anticipated by Thursday.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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