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Parents on edge as Delta variant interrupts back to school season

According to the CDC, the Delta variant is now responsible for 83% of all U.S. COVID cases.

TEXAS, USA — Back to school season is here. 

East Texas school districts will open their doors over the next several weeks and with COVID-19 cases rising, many parents are feeling uneasy. 

Christopher Hall has two kids, one going off to college and one starting seventh grade.

"I believe we're not doing enough as a society to eliminate the pandemic. Period," he said.

Both of his kids will be vaccinated heading into the fall semester, but he still has concerns about the Delta variant.

 "As the numbers rise, [it looks like] it's paramount that we're probably going to get locked down again," Hall said.

Doctors say the best preventative measure against the virus is getting vaccinated if you can - but that's not an option for everyone.

Christopher’s brother, Kendrick, has children who fall into this category. They’re both too young to get the vaccine.

"I do feel like my hands are tied right now because if they could be vaccinated, I would’ve been the first one to take them up there," Kendrick said.

As his kids gear up for a fall semester in Longview ISD, Kendrick said he hasn’t heard anything about COVID policies from the district.

"I would like for them to go to school, because some kids are not computer learners, and I don't want them to get behind," Kendrick said. "But I also don't want them to get there and get sick."

Maneuvering back to school season can be tricky, especially with young kids. Doctors suggest everyone older than two wear face masks that cover the nose and mouth. They say this is a simple, proven tool to protect students unable to get the vaccine yet or who have chosen not to get it.

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