This academic year has been a trial for parents across the board. Whether your child has been learning online, attending in-person classes, or you’ve opted for alternatives like homeschooling or “learning pods,” the experience has been stressful—it’s been a real mess.
As the spouse of an educator and a mother of two kids who have faced challenges with virtual schooling, I’ve been acutely aware of the ongoing issues. My children have asthma, so we chose to keep them home this year. While they are managing well under the circumstances, I know they would thrive in a school environment.
I find myself reading every article and analyzing all available data. My kids’ school district employs a hybrid model, offering both virtual and in-person options, and I closely monitor every COVID-19 notification we receive. There are days when we get ten positive cases, which raises questions about whether these infections are occurring at school or outside of it. With no vaccines available for kids just yet, I want reassurance that returning to school will be safe. I often question if I’ve made the right choice for my children and wonder when schools will return to normalcy.
The conclusion I’ve drawn is this: there is a lot of uncertainty. Why? Because the data on what’s happening in schools is limited. My district only provides information on reported COVID cases, without details on contact tracing. Are infections occurring in classrooms despite masks and social distancing? Are contact tracing measures being followed adequately? The truth is, we just don’t know.
What about districts across the nation? As highlighted by The New York Times, different areas are taking vastly different measures concerning COVID safety, with some enforcing mask mandates and others not bothering. No district is routinely testing all students, and even those that do, like New York City, are only testing a small percentage of students monthly, not the entire population. How can we truly understand what’s happening in schools without widespread testing? Remember, nearly 40% of children who test positive for COVID show no symptoms. How many cases might we overlook due to insufficient testing?
So, when the CDC released recommendations suggesting that schools consider reopening if safety measures are in place, I had some questions. As stated in The Washington Post, the CDC’s guidance emphasizes that transmission rates in schools are lower than in other congregate settings, such as nursing homes. “The evidence from the fall school semester has been reassuring,” the CDC noted in an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “There has been little evidence that schools have significantly contributed to community transmission.”
While I’m relieved to see the CDC, under President Biden’s leadership, advocating for a safe return to school and promising funding, I find the notion of making schools safe amid a global pandemic—where thousands are dying daily—hard to accept. Why are we comparing infection rates in schools to other high-risk environments? Shouldn’t we aim to prevent COVID from spreading everywhere until we can gain control over the pandemic?
The Washington Post also referenced a recent CDC study investigating in-school transmission at 17 rural K-12 schools in Wisconsin that adhered to strict masking protocols. The study found that only seven out of 191 COVID cases originated from within the schools. Margaret Honein, the lead author of the report, stated, “With proper prevention efforts, we can keep transmission in schools quite low.”
So, this CDC report indicates that in schools with effective masking, seven individuals contracted COVID, and that’s viewed as a positive outcome? Everyone has different thresholds for what they consider acceptable, but even one COVID case in a school is one too many. What about older teachers? What happens if a child unknowingly brings the virus home to a vulnerable family member? Even if the risk is lower in a well-ventilated school compared to a restaurant, why should any non-essential activities be allowed right now, especially with so many lives at stake?
I feel particularly uneasy about reopening schools when teachers and staff are just beginning to receive their vaccinations. Why are we considering reopening before those who educate our children are protected? Their safety is paramount.
Let’s not overlook that providing adequate protection for teachers and staff—like PPE and proper ventilation—is not straightforward, particularly in underfunded school districts. Many lack the budget for basic supplies, let alone the necessary safety measures. Where will the funding come from, and how can we ensure it meets the needs of every school?
While ideally, all kids would be back in school, especially those who rely on it for safety and security, we must recognize that we are still navigating a global pandemic. With many individuals refusing to wear masks even in essential places, how can we expect compliance from all students? And let’s not even delve into social gatherings.
For me, the conversation around reopening schools should be postponed. Let’s focus on controlling this pandemic, vaccinating all teachers and staff, and gathering more data on best practices—especially for lower-income schools. Let’s aim for a scenario where overall transmission rates are down, ensuring that in-school transmission is minimized as well.
Because while it’s crucial for our kids to return to school, no life is worth risking for that goal.
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Summary:
The CDC has issued guidelines for reopening schools, but many concerns remain about the safety of students and staff amid the ongoing pandemic. The lack of comprehensive data on COVID transmission in schools raises questions about the adequacy of safety measures in place. While some studies suggest that schools may have lower transmission rates, the possibility of even one infection is alarming. The discussion around reopening schools should focus on ensuring the safety of teachers and students before any decisions are made.