CDC put emphasis on reopening schools this fall
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized reopening schools this fall. In the previous guidelines, the CDC guided the schools to stay closed in areas with high transmission of the coronavirus. Trump administration also showed its commitment to reopen schools this fall. The guideline issued by the CDC on Thursday was in line with the Trump administration’s goal.
Dr. Robert R. Redfield, the director of the CDC, said, “It is critically important for our public health to open schools this fall.” The CDC released some viable resources on Thursday that will help parents, administrators, and teachers to make a practical decision upon the beginning of this school year. Redfield said that he knew it was a hard time for all families across the US.
Redfield added, “School closures have disrupted normal ways of life for children and parents.” He added that the CDC officials were committed to safely reopen K12 schools while protecting the most vulnerable. The CDC guided that the schools in areas having higher transmission of the virus should contact local health officials. After consulting them, the school administration should make a decision related to the reopening.
Redfield added, “The health, safety, and wellbeing of students, teachers, staff, and their families is the most important consideration in determining whether school closure is a necessary step.” According to the CDC, school closure is an important consideration in the communities where the virus transmission is increasing.
In areas having controlled transmission, the schools should be closed with proper mitigation measures. The face masks and social distancing policies should be implemented upon the reopening. In the countries that have already reopened their schools, the coronavirus posed low risks to school-aged children. The CDC said, “Children are unlikely to be major drivers of the spread of the virus.”
