Days after photos of packed hallways go viral, Paulding high school reports 9 COVID-19 cases
PAULDING COUNTY, Ga. — Just days after a photo of crowded hallways at North Paulding High School went viral, parents were informed Saturday of nine confirmed cases of the coronavirus at the school.
Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Nicole Carr got a copy of the letter. Principal Gabe Carmona wrote that six students and three staff members who were in school last week have since reported positive tests for COVID-19.
The school district has not announced if students who were exposed will have to quarantine and have not given any notice about shutting down classrooms.
Viral pictures of few students wearing masks amid COVID-19 pandemic puts metro school in spotlight
Paulding Co. principal threatens punishment for students who share school pics on social media
Student who posted viral Paulding County school picture says her suspension has been lifted
Talk To Your Doctor About A Treatment Option For Your Chronic Dry Eyes Today
North Paulding got national attention last week after a student took a photo of jam-packed hallways with few students wearing masks. School officials initially suspended the student who took the photo, Hannah Waters, but then lifted the punishment after it sparked outrage.
“Our custodial staff continues to thoroughly clean and disinfect the school building daily, and especially affected areas,” Carmona wrote. “It is my intention to regularly notify the NPHS community of these cases in the interest of transparency and so that we, as a community, can be aware of any trends that arise and respond accordingly.”
Channel 2?s Mike Petchenik learned that according to an open records request verified by Rep. Beth Moore, Paulding County Schools have reported a total of 53 cases of coronavirus within the district since July 1. Twenty-three of those were among students who attend North Paulding High School. Students did not return back to school until Aug. 3.
More: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsbtv.com/news/local/paulding-county/days-after-photos-packed-hallways-go-viral-paulding-school-reports-9-covid-19-cases/X3FEDBYQ3FEA3F3TX5MMQD6E3Y/%3foutputType=amp
= new reply since forum marked as read
They obviously could have use more time to plan, the country has changed and everything is different, likely will never be the same. It boggles the mind that the decision makers would put their children in danger like this, let alone everyone who works in the school system. We needed national leadership six months ago to put a plan and safeguards in place as they have in every other country. 
Since we moved a lot for my father's job. Right now it's the middle of the summer - at least here in New York. And I also went to summer camp, campers went there for July or August - or both - since that's the summer. I went to camp in Vermont, but girls came from all over, even a few other countries, though mainly Canada. 
And that's what I was thinking, isn't it unbearably hot there? Do all the schools have air conditioning? When I had a summer job, I worked outside at an amusement park. Sometimes it was unbearably hot - but it's much hotter now as we know. 
And, like the OP, I can't see how that can be maintained in schools. And not just 6 feet, I heard recently that 13 feet is safer! And, of course, that's impossible, especially in a classroom, changing classes, eating lunch, everywhere. At the beginning of the summer, I looked online to see how summer camps were handling it - and our "sister" camp which I visited last summer could find no way of safely opening - and most of the activities are outdoors.
And I can remember when it began to get warm in school, we never got out until almost the end of June in the grades. I was trying to remember if the windows really opened, but then I remembered a fire drill in 10th grade when my friend and I jumped out the window rather than go through the maze of hallways, LOL. The teacher was already out of the room and fortunately it was a one-story school. 
We have the examples of both other countries who handled this terribly, but also the soaring death rates in numerous states! As I said, we're in trouble since we've had no national leadership on this devastating pandemic, but it's not like what's happening in other countries and in other states doesn't lead the news every day! How can anyone - especially those charged to make these important decisions - not take into account all the information that's right out there??
And looking at those crowded halls brings back memories for me, too. Not only that, but there's the issue of younger kids. I spent a year in a classroom working with very young disabled kids, ages 2-6, most were 4. And with younger kids, they need help with everything, they're not going to maintain distances, they won't tolerate masks, they need help keeping their shoes on! And when it comes to issues of life and death, we need to think not only of the kids, who sure spread germs, but of all the teachers, aides, drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, everyone who comes into contact with them.
And I'm in New York so I remember it was the third week in June when we had Regents Week. Those were state standard exams for certain subjects. And of course we also had "snow days," we sure looked forward to them as kids! I went to a private boarding school for my last two years of high school, and we got out the same as college, at the end of May. But the start of the school year was the same, the beginning of September. July and August are summer! 
