Experts say the safety of in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic hinges on vaccinations, masking practices, distancing, testing and other factors.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools and Education
UMaine System presses for more student vaccinations as semester nears
As of Tuesday, about half of the 25,000 students and staff expected to be on system campuses this fall had verified their vaccination status. Friday’s the deadline.
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Posted inMaine, News
Maine reports 145 cases of COVID-19 as Waldo County emerges as a hotspot
Waldo has a case rate 2.5 times greater than what the U.S. CDC considers high transmission and 5 counties have substantial transmission rates.
Posted inMaine, Schools and Education
Maine awards over $2 million to schools for remote learning pilot projects
The projects are being funded through a $16.9 million federal grant to Maine to develop innovative remote learning models in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted inMaine, News
More Mainers encouraged to wear masks indoors as COVID-19 transmission rates rise
Eight counties are listed as having ‘substantial’ or ‘high’ transmission rates and the city of Portland is recommending that everyone wears a mask indoors regardless of vaccination status.
Posted inMaine, News
UMaine System will require COVID-19 vaccines for students on campus this fall
The system cited the spread of the delta variant in its decision to accelerate the timeline for requiring vaccines.
Posted inBooks, Business, Maine, News
Portland bookstore joins effort to replace books lost in Frenchville school fire
The book drive is part of a statewide effort involving Maine authors, bookstores and literary groups to replace 9,500 books lost in a blaze last month.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Maine, News
Northern Light Health to require vaccines for employees after FDA gives full approval
The health care network announced Monday that it will require employees to be inoculated within six weeks of full vaccine approval.
Posted inMaine, Schools and Education
Maine schools weigh masks, vaccines and pooled testing for fall return
With the start of classes about a month away, superintendents are taking their time with decisions, knowing there could still be more changes with COVID-19 and the latest guidance.
Posted inMaine, News, Schools and Education
Maine panel of experts weighs in on how schools can open safely amid COVID
A pediatrician, a family physician and an elementary school principal at a virtual forum discussed vaccines, mask policies and other factors that will play into opening schools safely this fall.