A color on the state’s COVID-19 incidence rate map will not be the lone deciding factor for whether Todd County Schools continue with in-person learning in any given week.
Governor Andy Beshear has recommended that districts transition to virtual instruction the following Monday if their county is red on the incidence map on a Thursday.
Todd County Superintendent Mark Thomas says data drops of several days of new cases into the state system at one time can artificially make a county red on the map and that’s part of why it will only be one factor the district will consider when making decisions.
He emphasizes safety of students, faculty and staff is the top priority—but he currently feels good about continuing with in-person instruction as long as the COVID numbers in the county remain where they’ve been—about two to four new cases on an average day for the last week.
Thomas speaks often with Public Health Director Jen Harris and they agree contact tracing has not shown any spread of the virus inside a Todd County school building.
He agrees with Christian County Superintendent Chris Bentzel and others that students are likely safer in the controlled environment of a school with mandated masking than they may be out in the public at-large.
Bentzel has also said that map is one factor in Christian County, but won’t be the only decider for his district.
Listen to the entire interview with Mark Thomas below: