Thank you all for signing the petition. Despite our high vaccination rates, the Bay Area and Marin County are on track to have high breakthrough Omicron infection in the next two weeks. Schools are a big vector for infection with issues with distancing and proper masking. There is no doubt that Omicron infections will spike if school returns in person next week. While infections may be mild for most, many children are not boosted and there is long COVID and Misc-C.

The delay will also also the ability to ensure that all students have at least KF94 masks and access to testing. 

There is also the risk of increasing teacher infections and others in the community.  Based on the level of infections and positive tests, the provisions for one or two weeks of remote learning should be activated. School districts in NY, NJ, CT, OH and even some now in San Francisco are opting for a slightly delayed but safe start. This is not a long term return to in person but a short pause to protect our kids, community and fragile healthcare system one last time hopefully!

Please share this petition widely.