The signing of the State Budget last week brought some confusing legislation into reality. Because of the threat of lost funding if local health departments issue COVID-19 mitigation mandates, the St. Clair County Health Department reluctantly rescinded quarantine orders out of fear of losing over a half-million dollars in state funding.
This order left school districts in limbo. Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas met with the Health Department and issued “strong recommendations” where possible and reinforced CDC mandates such as mask-wearing on buses.
Quarantine orders are the major issue for the district and Kerhoulas said that positive cases are still required to quarantine, but close contacts are now strongly recommended to quarantine. Mask wearing is encouraged and sick kids must stay home.
Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer at the Health Department, encouraged quarantining as an effective way to slow the spread of the disease, saying, “Our concern is that failure to comply with public health guidance will disproportionately affect those unable to get vaccinated and our most vulnerable. Taking care of our weakest will make us all stronger.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
