Letter: Mayoral Candidate John Falco On 'Test And Stay' Program

MEDFORD, MA — The following letter was submitted by city councilor and mayoral candidate John Falco on Thursday, Oct. 7.

Medford needs to use every single tool at our disposal to identify, prevent, and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our schools. I implore the Mayor to greenlight the Test and Stay program immediately. Medford was invited to join the Test and Stay program all the way back in early August of this year. Almost two months later, it is a disservice to our children, their parents and guardians, and faculty and staff that MPS has yet to join the program. Thankfully, it is not too late to do what is best for our entire school community.

What is Test and Stay?

Test and Stay is a COVID-19 mitigation program that offers free testing for asymptomatic individuals (students, teachers, and staff) who are identified as close contacts from at-school exposures to COVID-19 positive individuals. This testing program will allow asymptomatic close contacts to remain in school if they have a negative, individual rapid antigen test daily. Testing is only done with parental consent so families can choose to do what is right for their families. More than 2,000 schools in the state have applied to participate in the Test and Stay program.
Why Medford Should Participate in the Test and Stay program Students and staff who participate in the Test and Stay program are allowed to remain in school if they remain symptom-free and test negative each school day. Because Medford is not participating in this program, students are sent home to quarantine for up to 10 days with no option to participate remotely.

Last month, MPS received a grant to aid the vitally important work of supporting our student’s social and emotional learning needs. Forcing students to quarantine at home when there is a safe alternative approved by the MA Department of Public Health and MA Department of Elementary & Secondary Education is unacceptable. There are only 180 school days a year, and we need to use every tool available that allows students to learn in person at school safely. Schools provide more than just education but also food, social interaction with their peers, counseling, and healthcare. Schools allow parents and guardians to work to support their families. School attendance is critical.

Medford received funds from both the CARES Act and ESSER to pay for COVID-19 mitigation strategies. While the testing supplies are free, I recognize that additional personnel support may be needed in addition to help from CIC, the state testing vendor. These funds should also be utilized to enhance staffing levels to ensure proper compliance with other safety mitigation tools like mandatory six-foot distancing while eating and mask compliance.

To our students, families, teachers, nurses, staff, administrators, and school committee members - THANK YOU! Educating students during a pandemic is undoubtedly a challenge, and I am grateful for your dedication, support, and partnership through these challenging and uncertain times.