COVID-19: Disparities are present, youth play an important role in slowing spread
“We’re trying to balance the critical role that education plays in society, the lives of children and their families, with public health goals.” -- Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Heather Meuller
MDH director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control, Kristen Ehresmann
By Cameron Downey, Intern reporter
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) officials were joined by leaders from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to discuss plans for moving forward with the K-12 2020-2021 academic school year on a June 18 call.
The United States has seen more than 2.1 million cases and 17,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19 complications. In Minnesota, the number of cases is now 31,675, up 387 from June 17. This jump marks the largest increase in cases this week but follows a larger pattern of daily number increases and decreases.
In just the past few days, more than 7,000 coronavirus tests have been completed at community testing sites around the city on people with and without symptoms. These sites exist as a response to known gaps in testing and aim to address areas where there have been spikes in case numbers. During the briefing, MDH’s director, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control, Kristen Ehresmann said evidence of racial disparities are surfacing among those affected by the virus.
“(They) show us that hospitalization rates for Asian and Hispanic are much higher than other groups, as well as deaths among Blacks,” said Ehresmann.
Citing the recent passing of a 30-year-old with no underlying health conditions, Ehresmann stressed the severity of COVID-19. She referenced messages that the MDH has received regarding young people gathering in groups without masks to say that though it is clear youth are leading the way in areas of social justice, she reminds young adults that, “You can be a change agent for COVID-19 as well,” and asks that the same consideration be taken in the face of the risks posed by this disease.
“You may not get severely sick, but you could spread it to someone that will,” said Ehresmann.
Return to in-person learning still uncertain
Regarding the fate of the upcoming school year, MDE Deputy Commissioner Dr. Heather Meuller said the path forward is unclear. A three scenario plan has been designed -- learn in-person, learn in a hybrid format or complete the year using only remote classroom measures. She said the format may differ from county to county depending on a number of risk factors.
Schools may need to shift their model mid-year, so Minnesota has allocated additional funds for electronic resources for students. Meuller said distance learning has been, “especially hard for students of color and indigenous students” due to economic and living situations and access to technology.