Covid Safety: Omicron Spread

Covid safety continues to be top of mind for educators and school leaders. These conversations surged in early January 2022 following the Omicron outbreak that coincided with students’ return from winter break. With the Omicron variant spreading widely in early January, COVID conversation volume spiked.

Methodology: This charts represents a sample of 10,000 teachers and school leaders on Twitter from November 2021 through February 2022.

  • ”Education is only one example, but even if a school committed to being fully in-person tomorrow, there’s a very good chance your kid wouldn’t have a teacher because they’re too sick with COVID. And while many admin have been covering classes, they’re sick too.” —Vice Principal in Canada
  • “School people who have been contact tracing for a year … does our W2 come from the local Health Department, the CDC, or the local district?” —Principal in Michigan
  • “Thank you @BristolCTSchool for getting all kids and staff rapid #COVID19 test kits. We will be ready to  continue with our amazing learning as we transition to mask-optional.” —Elementary School Principal in Connecticut
  • “We are not out of the COVID-19 woods yet. If we want to avoid future surges, disruption, loss of life, and school closures, let’s be thoughtful, methodical, smart, and safe by increasing vaccinations and then declaring an end to the pandemic before we lift mask mandates.” —Superintendent in Georgia
  • “Got exposed at work. On quarantine. No subs. VP is covering my class. I know I shouldn’t,  but I feel so guilty right now.” —Teacher
  • “@lapublichealth is saying LA County teachers need certain types of masks, does that mean our districts will provide those? No. Testing isn’t being required, only suggested. What are we really walking into next week?! Some of us are parents too. This is reckless. Listen to us.” —Educator in NYC
  • “So if schools drop the mask mandate in a few weeks, what mitigation steps will be taken to protect vulnerable staff and students? Are we just thrown under the bus at that point? I’ll still mask but that protects others. What will protect me from the 130 kids breathing at me?” —Teacher