It’s imperative that we shut down schools immediately and keep them closed throughout the winter. This is crucial for our collective well-being.
Experts, as reported by The New York Times, are warning of an imminent surge in COVID-19 cases, with one in four teachers categorized as high-risk for infection. Despite public health officials urging Americans to remain indoors this holiday season, Vox revealed that nearly 40% of Americans were planning to attend large Thanksgiving gatherings just days before the holiday. CNN noted that air travel reached record levels during that time, with over a million people screened by TSA on Thanksgiving Eve.
NPR indicates that if the current trends persist, we could face “staggering growth in infections and deaths.” To manage this third surge effectively, closing schools is essential—not just to safeguard faculty, staff, and students but to avert a more extensive public health crisis.
The Reality of COVID-19 in Children
Do you believe the misconception that children don’t contract COVID-19? The Washington Post reported that there were 144,000 new cases among children in the week ending Nov. 18. Some parents are even opting not to test their kids, complicating our understanding of the actual numbers. While children may often be asymptomatic, a study from Massachusetts General Hospital revealed that asymptomatic children can carry a higher viral load than infected adults in intensive care.
This means your child could be unknowingly sick, spreading the virus to others. When they interact with other kids or attend school, they could transmit COVID-19 to those who are more vulnerable, including teachers and family members with preexisting conditions. In my community, 1,267 faculty and staff have already contracted COVID-19, with many local high schools reporting multiple student cases in just the last month.
If we close schools, we can protect both students and teachers from the virus.
Why Schools Aren’t Safe
When we talk about the safety of reopening schools, we refer to those that can implement stringent health measures: consistent distancing, mandatory mask-wearing, and adequate ventilation. However, ProPublica highlighted that some schools don’t even enforce mask mandates.
Envision a classroom packed with 12-30 students and a teacher, confined to the same space for ninety minutes. Experts assert that face masks alone won’t suffice if exposure lasts long periods. Maintaining six feet of distance among young children is impractical, and getting kindergarteners to keep their masks on throughout the day is a monumental challenge.
Moreover, over 36,000 schools across 41% of American districts require updates to their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. This raises the possibility that your child is in a classroom lacking sufficient ventilation to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
With schools failing to enforce masks, distancing, and proper ventilation, we must take action and close schools now until this winter surge is under control.
The Coming Winter Surge
The CDC forecasts as many as 2.5 million new COVID-19 cases before Christmas, accompanied by a rise in related fatalities. The New York Times shared that federal officials expect increased pressure on hospitals, which are already nearing capacity, particularly in regions like the Midwest.
The situation is reminiscent of the spring when governors made the difficult decision to close schools nationwide. Dr. Samuel Reed, a professor at a prominent public health school, stated that we could soon see outbreaks that make previous surges seem minimal. Projections suggest that the U.S. COVID-19 death toll could reach up to 390,000.
In essence, we are in a dual public health crisis, and keeping schools open would only exacerbate the situation. More students and teachers in one location means more cases, leading to increased deaths and additional strain on our healthcare system.
Challenges of Closing Schools
We understand that closing schools poses challenges, particularly for working parents and essential workers who rely on childcare. However, we successfully navigated similar issues in the spring, aided by stimulus packages. During school closures, we must ensure that families do not face housing insecurity, hunger, or other economic hardships, which necessitates further financial support for all Americans.
Schools must also serve as distribution centers for children facing food insecurity.
As winter approaches, COVID-19 cases will inevitably rise. If we do not take immediate action to close schools, we will only contribute to an already overwhelming crisis.
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Summary:
Schools must be closed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, especially as we face an upcoming winter surge. The risks to students, teachers, and vulnerable populations are too great. Adequate health measures are often not in place, making it impossible to ensure safety in schools. While challenges exist for families needing childcare, the community can navigate these with the right support systems.