I would like to thank the Association for the Advancement of International Education’s (AAIE) for continuing to provide resources to assist international school leaders in planning for the 2021-2022 school year. Every other day they publish a COVID-19 Briefing. AAIE COVID-19 Briefing Archive.
This Scientific American article points out the contradictory recommendations between the WHO and CDC. The TIS COVID Response Team is considering dropping the requirement for people to wear masks outdoors while on campus. The World Health Organization (WHO) is still recommending fully vaccinated people to wear masks and physically distance. This is because concerns of new variants and continued community transmission of the virus. WHO Press Conference June 25, 2021.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) differs from the WHO. They are saying vaccinated people do not need to wear masks outdoors and in many indoor settings. CDC June 17, 2021 Vaccinated People Recommendations.This Science Alert article points out studies showing possible changes in blood cells which may explain why some people have long-term problems from COVID. The pandemic continues to rage in unvaccinated countries. A third-wave peak in many African countries (Namibia, Uganda, Zambia) is pushing health systems to the brink. Russia had over 20,000 cases and is introducing regional lockdowns.
On a personal note, I’ve decided to get a Pfizer booster shot while I am in the USA this summer. My wife, adult son and I are fully vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine which currently offers us strong protection against all variants of the coronavirus. Research is showing that a booster vaccine of the mRNA (Pfizer/Moderna) variety offers more immunity for people who previously received one or two doses of a viral vector (AstraZeneca/Johnson & Johnson) type vaccine. I sense that global health agencies will be recommending a booster shot in the autumn or winter. Our two children (photo above) are getting fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. We walked into the local CVS pharmacy got them vaccinated. I wish that more countries would be able to vaccinate to the rate the USA has implemented.
TIS Director's Blog 
Published by