By Anthony Knorr
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Carroll County plans to lift the mask mandate in all office buildings once the positivity rate drops below 8 percent.
The initial ruling was discussed and approved when the positivity rate was over 12 percent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently has Carroll County at an 8.16% positivity rate.
The number of COVID-19 cases peaked in early January at around 1,600 cases, according to the CDC. As of mid-February, the case total has dropped substantially.
District 3 Commissioner Dennis Frazier refers to the dropping rate of COVID-19 cases as the catalyst for the mask mandate lifting.
“The fall of the cases in Maryland and Carroll County spurred the change,” Frazier said.
Carroll County Administrator Roberta Windham said the county is following the correct protocols and procedures for any potential future mask liftings.
“Carroll County has endorsed Maryland Governor Hogan’s decisions throughout the pandemic and believes he is following the guidance of health and science experts,” Windham said. “We plan to continue to follow Governor Hogan and the state’s guidance as we move forward.”
Carey Gaddis, the Carroll County Public Schools’ communications officer, said school officials have been especially careful to protect students with compromised immune systems.
“Due to limited interest in a virtual delivery model in the summer of 2021, families with COVID-19 related health concerns have been encouraged to apply for Home and Hospital Teaching,” Gaddis said.
The Home and Hospital Teaching Program is a service offered by Carroll County Public Schools that allows students with ailments such as illness, injury, emotional condition, pregnancy, and chronic health impairment to attend a modified form of their schooling education.
To be accepted into the Home and Hospital Teaching Program, the student must expect to be absent from in-person schooling for at least fifteen consecutive days. The student must obtain a medical professional’s recommendation.
If interested in applying for the Home and Hospital Teaching Program, a medical professional must fax the recommendation form to the Students Services Department at 410-751-3695. For any specific questions regarding the Home and Hospital Teaching Services, please contact the supervisor of student services, Mr. Don Mongold, at dmmongo@carrollk12.org or 410-751-3110.
Despite the Home and Hospital Teaching Program, families of autoimmune students have mixed opinions towards the current mask mandates.
“As you might expect, families continue to share both concern and support for the approach taken by the Board of Education of Carroll County regarding COVID-19 related matters,” Gaddis said.
Frazier said he is happy with the current progress made in Carroll County.
“It is nice to see people’s whole face,” Frazier said.