The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance for masks. The CDC says even people who are fully vaccinated should wear masks indoors in areas with "substantial" or "high" transmission.
That recommendation includes Texas. The Department of State Health Services says hospitals in Texas had 4,982 COVID-19 patients Monday, the most recent day statistics were available. The total was the highest since March 4.
At the beginning of July, hospitals had just 1,591 patients.
Governor Greg Abbott has said schools in Texas cannot require masks when students return this fall.
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"CDC is recommending all teachers, all staff, all students over the age of two wear masks in school," says Dr. Richard Besser, a former acting director of the CDC. "The reason for that is the Delta variant is highly contagious. Vaccine coverage rates in schools among high school students and middle school students is very low."
In Texas, the Department of State Health Services says 52.23% of people 12 and older are fully vaccinated. No vaccine is available for younger children.
Besser urges those who are eligible to get the vaccine, saying that can allow a safe return to school.
"We so much want to declare victory on this pandemic and say it's over, but this summer will, to a large extent, determine what the fall and winter will look like," he says. "This is the time to double down to really try to knock this out, to roll up sleeves, get vaccinated, put the masks on when we're indoors. Getting vaccinated helps us but also those around us. 'Those around us' includes children because no one under 12 has access to vaccines. What we do matters to them."
Besser is now chief executive officer of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a non-profit that aims to improve access to health care in low-income areas.
As schools make plans to return to in-person classes, he says the pandemic has brought attention to existing issues of racial inequity.
"Most funding for schools comes from property taxes. That means if your school is in a wealthy neighborhood, it's going to have incredible resources. If your area has a housing stock that is much lower, you're not going to see the same dollars coming into your school," he says. "Think about how our schools would look if each child had the same amount of money put toward their education. In America, when we think about public school education, that really is the goal."
Districts in North Texas have installed Wi-Fi towers in low income areas and handed out tablets to help students log in for remote classes, but school leaders have said attendance rates are lower than normal.
A bill that would have provided funding for districts to continue remote learning failed in the Texas legislature this year. The bill was not added to the agenda for the special session taking place now.
In addition to help logging in for remote classes, Besser says meals should remain free for all students.
"The pandemic and economic crisis have shined a light on a number of inequities," he says. "We've seen, in so many places, school lunch being made available to everyone. That's something that should be made permanent. What we find is the stigma of being called out or having to re-register or requalify is powerful. Kids, especially as they get older and get toward high school, say 'It's just not worth it. I'm not going to get that lunch.' Making them available to every kid means every child in class the nutrition they need to be able to focus and concentrate."
Long-term, he says he hopes the pandemic will lead to changes in the way schools are funded to ensure all students have the same chance to excel.
In the meantime, he is urging those hesitant to get the vaccine to bring their questions to their primary care doctor or another medical or faith leader they trust.
"Get your questions answered so you're comfortable getting vaccinated," Besser says "These are some of the most effective vaccines."
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