Adults and students who are at least 12 years old are recommended by public health authorities to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID is still spreading in the community, and the overwhelming percentage of COVID-related deaths in Texas are now among unvaccinated people. Dallas County, in which all of RISD is located, recently increased the county COVID threat level back to orange (extreme caution) due to increasing cases, primarily among unvaccinated people.
In addition, due to the spread of the COVID delta variant, public health authorities have also recommended that all people – students, staff and visitors – wear a mask while indoors during the school day. RISD strongly encourages people to wear masks while indoors at school, to help stop the spread of COVID, especially as students under the age of 12 have not yet been approved to receive a vaccine.
Vaccines for adults and students aged 12+ are free and readily available at pharmacies, many area healthcare providers, vaccination events, and through a Dallas County vaccination hub.
