As COVID-19 concerns continue, multiple testing options have been made available to Westside students and staff who feel sick. The district’s student case count stands at 12, while 17 staff have tested positive. According to Communications Director Brandi Paul, multiple paid options are available for families who can afford testing. 

“For our Westside employees, most insurance providers a lot for free insurance,” Paul said. “The same is true for many families who are covered by insurance; we have provided links to Test Nebraska and Douglas County Health, who share links daily on how to access testing.”

In addition, Paul said that there are many test options for uninsured families. 

“For families without insurance, there are many opportunities through great community organizations like One World to access testing,” Paul said. 

Paul also indicated that she trusted students to take the virus seriously and get tested. 

“I feel that [students] have taken this very seriously,” Paul said. “Many feared masks would be an issue or create problems for our students, [but] we have had minimal reports of this. From our student athletes, to our singers, to our welders, to our kindergarten students and more, I think you are seeing a combination of students used to wearing masks, and students who realize that it’s the use of [masks] helping to keep our spread low, and therefore allowing us to stay in school, have activities, etc. Our students are aware, engaged and responsible, and we are so grateful for that.”

Superintendent Mike Lucas agrees that COVID-19 testing has been successful and said that more options for affordable testing will open soon. 

“We have partnered with a private testing company to provide rapid testing as recommended by our [COVID-19] Response Team.  We are also looking into another partnership to provide more accessible testing for students,” Lucas said. 

In addition, Lucas is confident that students will report using their current screening system, and take the virus seriously enough for the district to have confidence in their case count.

“We have a [COVID-19] symptoms screener we worked with Children’s Hospital on,” Lucas said. “We are confident that students that have symptoms will get tested. We have assisted several families already with this.”