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SB1479 will impact student attendance. Veto SB1479
Dear Governor Newsom, I am asking you today to Veto SB1479. If this bill were to pass there are unintended consequences such as straining resources of smaller school districts and impacting student attendance negatively. I would like to know what actions you will take to ensure these consequences do not cause further hurdles, to students and staff, which are already struggling to find a sense of normalcy.
These past two years have brought so many changes in which we all had to adapt. Please consider the timing of this proposed bill and the consequences especially to those who cannot advocate for themselves.
Sincerely,
Signed Name
C19 Test and Trace in Schools
Dear Governor Newsom,
This email is in regard to SB1479.
From the start of the pandemic we have had safety protocols in place to ensure our children and staff are not being put at a significant risk of catching Covid-19. Because of these efforts schools across the state have continued to stay open with little to no evidence of mass breakout infections. Why are we creating stricter testing protocols now?
The systems we have had in place for over 3 years have shown to work. Requiring schools to create subsequent testing procedures now is unnecessary and costly.
Please Veto SB1478
Sincerely,
Veto SB1479
Dear Governor,
While testing in schools had been a justifiable step during the onset of the pandemic as a way of slowing the spread within our state and communities, a large proportion of the most vulnerable have now been vaccinated against COVID-19 (93% of those over the age of 50).
Children themselves have been shown to be the least effected by this virus. As we continue to work towards the endemic phase of this pandemic I believe mandatory testing plans is no longer necessary. With ample availability to testing centers, at home test kits, drive up testing clinics, etc. it appears this bill is trying to fix a problem we are no longer facing. Teachers, students, and families are all capable of acquiring these tests on their own and do not need to be required to test.
Because of this, I urge you to Veto SB1479.
Thank you.
Please Veto SB1479
Dear Governor,
I am writing to you to ask that you Veto SB1479.
On August 11th, the CDC streamlined COVID-19 guidance to help the public better protect themselves and understand their risk.
Recommending screening testing of asymptomatic people without known exposures will no longer be recommended in most community settings.
We are asking that California follows current CDC guidelines.
Sincerely,
False Positives lead to Failed Grades
Dear Governor Newsom,
Over the course of the pandemic we have learned PCR tests are not always 100% accurate. This has resulted in false positive tests. It is estimated at 0.5% prevalence (or between 7 in 10 and 9 in 10) that people who are asymptomatic will be given a false positive.
The issue with this, is that children who have or will receive a false positive result will lose out on valuable education time as they needlessly have to isolate per state guidelines. In turn, what would be the hopes of minimizing the spread of the virus results in minimizing education.
Children across the state continue to miss educational milestones. Likely due to missed learning opportunities. We do not need a testing requirement in place to test asymptomatic children.
For these reasons, I kindly ask you to Veto SB1479.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Concerns about SB1479 “supportive services”
Dear Governor Newsom,
This part of the bill that states…”The bill would require the department to provide supportive services, including technical assistance, vendor support, guidance, monitoring, and testing education, related to testing programs for teachers, staff, and pupils to help schools reopen and keep schools operating safely for in-person learning.” is particularly concerning because what is not clearly stated are the requirements and qualifications that are necessary to fulfill these roles. As these roles would be handling personal and confidential medical and health information for adults and adolescents, it's essential that we can guarantee these roles are qualified to do so and have received the proper training.
HIPAA law grants protection of all "individually identifiable health information" held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate, in any form or media, whether electronic, paper, or oral. Would the “supportive services” providers listed above be familiar with this act? The lack of clarity on this aspect of the bill is of great concern and worth addressing before proceeding forward.
That concern amongst others is why I ask you to please Veto SB1479.
Sincerely,