Oklahoma education board OKs safety plan, makes it optional
Associated PressOKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma State Board of Education approved a COVID-19 response plan on Thursday for actions local districts should take to slow the spread of coronavirus, but narrowly voted to make the plan optional instead of mandatory. Developed in conjunction with the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the five-level plan outlines steps districts should take based on the number of confirmed positive coronavirus cases per capita in a county where the district is located. “I believe it entirely appropriate that the State Board establish a floor of recommended and required protocols to ensure a safer environment for all in the school community — teachers, staff and students.” Under the plan, if there were fewer than 1.43 cases per 100,000 residents, for example, wearing face coverings would only be a recommendation and schools would be expected to offer in-person instruction. “I refuse to make a decision top down.” LATEST CORONAVIRUS NUMBERS The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Oklahoma jumped by 737 on Thursday, bringing to 28,802 the total number of confirmed positive cases, according to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
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