SEATTLE — Hundreds of Seattle students lined up for free COVID-19 tests, ahead of a delayed start to classes.
The coronavirus is already taking a toll.
There was a long line outside the South Shore school in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood today, as kids and parents waited to be tested.
The school district pushed back the start of classes by one day to administer COVID-19 rapid tests.
The response was so big that the nurses here say they worked three and a half hours longer than expected. The line extended past the school and onto the sidewalk.
These tests aren’t required. But the kids waiting in line say they are necessary.
It is a sight that likely heartened those who run the Seattle school district: A long line of students — mostly eager to get their free COVID-19 test — outside the South Shore School on this second day of the new year.
“I guess it’s fine,” said Naomi Scott, a ninth-grader at Rainier Beach High School, “cause it’s like protocol for everything to make sure everyone’s safe and stuff.”
“Well, I have to get tested because everybody in my school has to be safe,” said Mario Vasquez Gomez. “So it wouldn’t be right not to get the test.”
Others say they want to avoid a return to online learning.
“It was boring and there was like nothing to do much,” said 13-year-old Samuel Urbina.
Seattle School officials delayed by one day the start of classes after the holiday break. With the omicron variant spreading rapidly, there was a spike in infections in Seattle schools several weeks before Christmas. So, the district opened two testing sites Sunday, with more to follow the rest of the week.
“There’s just all sorts of testing going on right now,” said Tim Robinson, SPS spokesman. “And we know you know testing is one way to mitigate the spread of COVID as are vaccinations. It’s all voluntary. And we are urging everyone to get tested.”
There was no need to convince those in this line — not students, teachers or parents.
“A lot of people had their family over this long winter break,” said Hawa Ismail, Cleveland STEM High School junior. “That’s the reason I’m getting tested because of my family member.”
“And it’s really scary to send your kids off to school not knowing,” said Jen Apfel, a teacher at South Shore School. “If they get sick, what are the long-time effects? So I think it’s a good thing.”
“I want the testing for my kids and everybody,” said Lan Go, a parent. “Yes.”
KIRO 7 was told nurses administered 1,400 rapid tests in 10 hours at South Shore Sunday.
Staff members are to be tested tomorrow but students can get the tests all week.
This is a big school district, so there are a lot of people to test.
©2022 Cox Media Group
