The state of Georgia has commenced the 2020-21 academic year with students back on campus. However, the lack of social distancing seen in one photo, in particular, has sparked outrage. Students in Paulding County, GA were the first to return to campus as part of the state's "Path to Recovery for K-12 Schools."
Superintendent Brian Otott attempted to downplay the photo saying that the students were only packed into the hallway for a brief period of time. In a statement released to parents, Otott said that while the optics don't look good, the school district is doing all it can to ensure the safety of the students and faculty but admitted that there's "no practical way" of enforcing a mask policy.
At the moment, Georgia has set out "guidelines, not mandates" on how to manage the pandemic. Another school, Etowah High School in Cherokee County, was also part of the controversy with their lack of social distancing. A photo from the school's official Instagram account showed students huddled up for a senior class photo without wearing masks.
Parents in both counties were given the option to have their child participate in virtual learning or in-person learning. For those that chose the latter are subject to both school districts' lack of mask policy despite the surge in COVID cases in Georgia.
Source: twitter.com
