Back-to-school means rain jackets, backpacks and kids spending more time indoors. Like we see almost every year, it’s easy for kids to spread germs like the common cold, influenza and COVID-19, as respiratory viruses are more easily spread indoors. Worrying about our kids getting COVID-19 while at school is no fun. And unfortunately, COVID-19 isn’t going away. That’s why it’s very important to continue to wear masks, make sure your family stays up-to-date on vaccines, and to stay home from work and school and away from others for 5 days or more, when you or your children are feeling sick.

Here are a few things you should know about this year’s back-to-school COVID-19 requirements and safety guidance:

Free vaccination clinics in King County

Health care professionals at free vaccination clinics in King County will be on hand to answer your questions and to provide required immunizations. You don’t need insurance or proof of immigration status. Just bring along your child, their immunization records if you have them, and a book or toy to occupy them during the wait.

COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect your child from getting long lasting symptoms or serious illness from COVID

Many kids haven’t completed their first series of COVID-19 vaccines. Some of this is due to vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, or other barriers. It may help to know that the vaccines for kids are safe and well-tested. Trusted healthcare professionals like pediatrician Dr. Ben Danielson and Dr. Helen Stankiewicz Karita of UW Medicine, Dr. Ahmed Ali of the Somali Health Board, and Dr. Iman Yunis of Othello Pharmacy, agree that vaccinating your children is the best way to protect them and the community from serious illness that could make them miss school. They answer common questions from parents in a series of videos about why the vaccine is safe for kids.

Schools and child care programs may require you to wear a mask

Be sure to pack a well-fitting mask into your kid’s backpack. And thank you for respecting people’s choices to continue to wear a mask. Wearing a high-quality mask remains an important tool in helping to limit the spread of COVID-19.

What to do if you or your child tests positive for COVID-19

Getting sick means at least 5 missed days of school and work, which can be especially tough on parents who can’t afford to miss days, or without access to child care. But it’s also so important for your family to get better and to keep COVID from spreading to others. If you or your child are showing symptoms of COVID-19, even if you don’t yet have test results, you should stay home to protect others. If you need food or other assistance while you isolate, please call the state COVID-19 information hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press #1.

Parents and children who test positive for COVID-19 are required to stay at home and isolate for at least 5 days. 

• You may return to work and school if your test is negative on day 5.

• If your test is positive, continue to isolate for 5 more days.

• Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days, and 11 days around people who are high-risk for COVID-19.

• When students and children return from 5 days of isolation, they should wear a well-fitted mask from days 6 to 10.

• Students should test before returning to school, if possible.

For more information about COVID-19 in King County, go to:   https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19.aspx