As the spread of COVID-19 continues, the idea of reopening schools is fraught with danger. We find ourselves in a global health crisis that has already claimed more American lives than World War II. The IHME Model predicts we could see around 567,000 deaths by May 2021, and if we go ahead with reopening schools, that number could rise to 621,000—an alarming figure reminiscent of Civil War casualties when accounting for all causes, not just combat.
Yet, discussions about returning children to classrooms persist, even with unvaccinated teachers amidst the emergence of new, more contagious variants. Vaccines, even for those who are fully immunized, may not provide adequate protection against these strains. The statistics are sobering: Black and Latinx communities are 2.8 times more likely to die from the virus compared to white individuals, and the trauma of losing family members during this time can’t be overstated.
Reopening schools while much of the country remains a COVID-19 hotspot is a misguided strategy. Although the CDC has provided guidelines favoring school openings, even Dr. Anthony Fauci warned that a full reopening may not be feasible due to these new variants. While some studies have indicated that schools have not been the primary sites of large outbreaks, they also highlighted instances of transmission tied to overcrowded classrooms and inadequate safety measures, such as poor ventilation and lack of face masks.
For a safe reopening, classrooms must ensure proper distancing, consistent mask use, and effective ventilation—conditions that many American schools simply do not meet. With reports indicating that over 41% of school districts need to upgrade their HVAC systems to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it’s clear that such improvements are not happening at a sufficient pace.
Furthermore, evidence shows that children can and do spread COVID-19. Research from Massachusetts General Hospital indicates that even asymptomatic children can release as many viral particles as adults in intensive care units. This poses a significant risk, especially with the emergence of variants like those from the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, which are more contagious and potentially more deadly.
In light of these factors, the push to reopen schools while the virus is still rampant, and becoming more transmissible, is fundamentally flawed. The CDC has indicated that although vaccines are effective against the new variants, this does not apply universally, particularly for unvaccinated educators. This raises serious concerns: unvaccinated teachers working in poorly ventilated classrooms could lead to increased infection rates among students, who may then unknowingly transmit the virus to vulnerable family members.
While we acknowledge the social isolation that students have faced during this pandemic, sending them back to school under these circumstances is not the solution. The educational gap that has emerged during this time can be addressed post-pandemic; our priority should be protecting lives. Keeping schools closed until teachers and staff are fully vaccinated is the bare minimum required to ensure community safety. Yes, it’s disappointing to accept that this may be a “lost year,” but the tragedy of losing loved ones to this virus far outweighs the inconvenience of continuing remote learning.
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Summary:
The ongoing pandemic presents serious risks in discussions of reopening schools, especially as new variants emerge. With unvaccinated teachers and inadequate safety measures in many schools, the potential for increased transmission is high. The focus should remain on community safety by prioritizing vaccinations for educators before considering a return to in-person learning.
Keyphrase: reopening schools during COVID-19
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