Schools and COVID-19: Are Virtual Classes Returning?

The astronomical increase in COVID cases – 19 after Thanksgiving, and the advance of the omicron variant coronavirus disease, they are causing US school systems to discuss what to do to mitigate transmission.

Will classes be back in person after the Holiday break? Or will there be virtual classes? Some districts have already decided.

In Prince George’s County, Maryland, the school system did not make the same mistake it did in the past: wait and see what happens. Due to a rapid increase in COVID cases in schools, authorities announced on Friday 17 that all classes would go virtual from December 20 through 14 January 2022 (with the cut-off due to the holiday recess).

In neighboring Montgomery County, the School Board said it will wait for the state’s order if schools need to be closed, although many schools in This county has already had to suspend activities and events for the winter sports season due to the increase in COVID cases. The county follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) contact tracing, testing, and quarantine guidelines.

Various school districts across the country decided distribute COVID home testing kits to students and staff , with the goal of mitigating the return of sick people to classrooms in January. Among them, Chicago public schools, several cities in Massachusetts and the San Diego United School District in California.

Also in California, Marin County has used home tests throughout this school year.

The California Department of Public Health said each student and staff will receive a COVID testing kit – 19 with instructions in English and Spanish on how to use it and how, eventually ask for help.

In Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker identified 102 areas with the greatest circulation of the coronavirus and it is there where deliveries of home kits will be most concentrated.

Although there is controversy about the effectiveness of home tests vs PCRs given in medical settings or community health centers, health authorities say they are tested Households fulfill the function of detecting whether or not a person is contagious.

The problem that begins to arise with home tests is that they are already scarce: they are sold out as soon as pharmacies put them on the shelves.

Some school systems that had not yet mandated vaccination of their staff are taking a step forward. For example, Detroit issued an order for all teachers and school personnel to be fully vaccinated by February.

In states like Texas and Florida, school districts are monitoring the progress of omicron, but have not yet taken concrete action.

Several universities such as Massachusetts, New Mexico and Notredame have issued the order that all students have their booster shots. Cornell University will have all its end-of-year exams virtually.

Whatever the beginning of brings for schools remains to be seen. Many do not rule out the return, at least temporarily, to virtual education. The debate is open and the epidemic will rule. Early actions, experts say, are critical to mitigating epidemiological and educational damage.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized 14 COVID testing – 19 rapid free sale.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said rapid tests serve to keep students in schools safely, even if they have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID – 19.

While recommendations may change as cases increase, for now, the CDC says that:

• Students benefit from classroom teaching.
• Vaccination is the main public health prevention strategy to end the COVID pandemic – 19. Promoting vaccination can help schools maintain classroom teaching, extracurricular activities and sports.
• Everyone must wear masks indoors, everyone, staff members, teachers and school visitors from Kindergarten to 12 Grade 1, regardless of immunization status.
• It is recommended that schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms to reduce the risk of transmission.
• It is extremely important to implement several additional preventive strategies, such as screening tests for evaluation.
• Conducting evaluation tests, ventilation, hand washing and respiratory hygiene protocol, staying home if sick and getting screened, conducting contact tracing in combination with quarantine and isolation, and cleaning and disinfection are also important layers of prevention to ensure safety in schools.
• Students, teachers, and staff members should stay home if have signs of an infectious disease, in addition to seeing their healthcare provider for a screening test and necessary care.
• The different localities should monitor the transmission in the community, the coverage of vacu nation, conducting evaluation tests and the appearance of outbreaks when making decisions about the level of prevention strategies.