There is a concern with kids going back to school with COVID-19 still an issue. 

Guthrie County Health Services Director Jotham Arber says the best thing for your child that is older than 12 to fight against COVID-19 going back to school is to get them vaccinated. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio the steps to take if your child cannot be vaccinated. 

“Parents especially with immunocompromised children should reach out to their school districts they are making an effort to help those students.” 

The only vaccine approved for children 12 years of age and older is the two shot Pfizer and masks will be optional for this school year. Arber says when a student is sick they should not attend school. 

“We are going to publish some guidance as far as a decision tree recommendation to when you have kids with symptoms and when they should get tested and when they should stay at home.”

He says that a large number of teachers and students have been vaccinated in the Guthrie County area so they will not continue with contact traces inside the schools. The schools will also continue to sanitize consistently.