By Kiley Lachance 12/2/2020

Throughout the pandemic, Cony High School has been able to remain virus-free while other schools in the community have not been as fortunate. But whether Cony's success in controlling the virus' spread among students in staff is from precautions or luck is still unknown.

Before being allowed to reopen, Maine CDC and the Department of Education set guidelines for all Maine schools. Cony requires students to keep their masks on at all times and socially distance throughout the building. Masks have been shown to slow the spread of COVID-19, a respiratory illness caused by the virus.

“I do think that masks have helped us keep our cases at zero,” said Alaechia Ellis, one of the school nurses.

Multiple rules were put in place throughout Cony to help students stay socially distant from one another. The lunch rooms are designed so each table is at least six feet apart and there is one student allowed per table.

With these guidelines in place, Cony has been fortunate enough to continue classes while other schools, including Farrington and Hussey, have had to close because of positive cases.

But there are still many worries for the future, especially with upcoming holidays.

“I want to say that it is because of our hard work and dedication that we have had no cases, but it is probably more because of pure luck,” said Principal Kim Silsby.

Holiday travel is a concern, Ellis said. To prevent potential exposure, all of the schools in the Augusta School District will be closed for a week after the break, she said.

If, in the future, there is a positive case at Cony, there is a plan set up, said Ellis and Silsby. Nurses and administration would ensure all proper guidelines are met and individuals as well as families are informed for everyone’s safety.

There are still a lot of questions about whether Cony's control of the virus is luck or not. Cony staff and students will continue to work hard at keeping each other safe they push through this challenging school year.