American communities face new challenges as they reopen schools from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Centers for Disease Control provides advice to control the COVID-19 spread we share here. However, the CDC considerations for re-opening schools focus on what is feasible, practical, and acceptable for individual communities. We include a link to the full document at the end of this post.
Fine Tuning CDC Considerations for Reopening Schools
CDC recommends schools interpret the Centers’ thoughts in the light of advice from state and local health officials. However, they do recommend the following principles to limit virus spread:
1… The lowest risk is present when teachers limit their activities to virtual-only classes, activities, and events.
2… The risk is greater in small, in-person classes, activities, and events. Students should socially distance and not share objects.
3… The risk is greatest in full-size, in-person classes, activities, and events. There is no social distancing. Students also share classroom materials and supplies.
These CDC considerations for re-opening schools assume average precautions to prevent virus spread. However, school administrators can implement programs to mitigate that risk.
Strategies and Behaviors to Reduce the Spread
Some communities may not have resources to afford virtual education. They may also not have the opportunity to divide in-person classes into smaller groups. Centers for Disease Control include three counter-strategies in their considerations for re-opening schools.
1… Actively encourage employees and students who are ill or had contacts to stay at home without fear of reprisal.
2… Ensure students and employees who tested positive enter self-quarantine or hospital until the danger has passed
3… Ensure employees and students who had a close contact with an infected person self-shelter, until the risk has passed.
Hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and cloth face coverings should complement these strategies for as long as the pandemic lasts.
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Preview Image: Schools Closed in Williamsport
