Gov. Baker's New COVID Test Effort Falls Short In Schools: Letter

The following is a letter to the editor and does not reflect the views of Worcester Patch

Bringing tens of thousands of rapid, at-home tests to Massachusetts is a good start. But, at this point, state officials once again seem to have zero implementation plans to get these much-needed tests in the hands of people who need them most — in addition to comprehensive health literacy for students and parents. As my family in Worcester, those in the state's poorest communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by this pandemic.

Now is not the time to ease our efforts against this virus. The state needs to step up efforts and implement an immediate adoption of the CDC guidelines, maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, screening testing, ventilation, handwashing, and respiratory etiquette, and the most recently recommended usage of high-quality N95 face masks. I would be remiss if I did not call to evaluate the current exposure/quarantine/testing/return to an in-person learning timeline. Most disappointing is the Baker Administration's inattention to the COVID-CDC guidelines is endangering families and educators throughout the Commonwealth; not surprisingly, these are the cities and towns that have gone ignored in the state's pandemic response — the poorest ones with the highest rates of infection.

Even Governor’s Baker’s recent announcement of At-home tests is an essential piece of the puzzle. Unless we significantly increase the number of rapid tests for families in hard-to-reach communities, all efforts to keep the people in school buildings safe will fail. The children and families of these communities deserve more – it's not just about access but education efforts for these parents and the community at large.

This deadly virus has disproportionately impacted the Commonwealth's poorest communities. They deserve more than a tepid, disproportionately inadequate response from the state. Suppose decision-makers are serious about keeping students and educators safe in school buildings, following CDC guidelines, and demanding that all students and school staff have rapid COVID tests at home. Even though Gov. Baker is offering tests, we are still going to fail-it's not enough.

—Darshia Diaz, Worcester Public Schools parent, member of Massachusetts Jobs with Justice and Parents Union of Massachusetts (PUMA)

This article originally appeared on the Worcester Patch