New York City is once again shuttering its public schools as COVID-19 cases begin to surge. Chancellor Samuel Thompson announced via email to district principals that all public school buildings will close starting tomorrow. The decision comes after just eight weeks of in-person instruction.
“As of this morning, November 18, the city has hit the threshold for test positivity, necessitating the temporary closure of all public school facilities for in-person learning effective Thursday, November 19,” Thompson stated. Mayor Lisa Johnson echoed this sentiment on social media, noting that the city’s 7-day average positivity rate has reached 3%. “This decision is made out of an abundance of caution as we combat the second wave of COVID-19,” she added.
Previously, New York City was at the center of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as time progressed, the situation improved with declining positivity rates. However, the recent uptick in cases has led to the re-implementation of school closures, despite the fact that infection rates within schools themselves have remained low. In mid-October, officials reported only 28 positive cases among 16,348 staff and students tested randomly.
Mayor Johnson set the 3% threshold during the summer when positivity rates were significantly lower. Parents are expressing frustration over the school closures, particularly as restaurants and gyms continue to operate. The shift to remote learning presents additional childcare challenges for working parents. Johnson indicated that the schools will not automatically reopen once the positivity rate dips below 3%, suggesting instead a wait for a more stable lower rate to avoid disruption for students and teachers.
While districts in Los Angeles and Chicago have yet to resume in-person classes, Chicago plans to bring back younger students in January. For more insights on navigating these challenging times, you might want to check out one of our other blog posts here. Additionally, for further information on home insemination, you can visit this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
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In summary, New York City is closing its public schools again as COVID-19 cases rise, with a focus on safety and caution in the face of a second wave. This decision has sparked frustration among parents as they navigate the challenges of remote learning and childcare.