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Many TN school districts are now announcing plans to resume classes – many w/ in-person options - at the highest peak of the #COVID19 pandemic. What are the questions parents should be asking? NEW THREAD 1/
Viewed another way, the push to re-open schools comes the very week that Tennessee reaches an all-time high in #COVID19 deaths. 2/
First, let’s begin with what the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC) says is the safest option: “Students and teachers engage in virtual-only classes, activities, and events.” 3/
What you will hear from schools is that the American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that “all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school.” Yes, but… 4/
https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/
https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/
The AAP guidance was based on the experience that children just don’t get as sick as adults when exposed to #COVID19. Even though we are not routinely testing Tennessee children, they still make up 15% of all known cases. There have been 3 deaths. 5/
As for the risk that school children could spread the virus to more vulnerable educators, parents and grandparents, the AAP says that may not be a huge concern. MAY? 6/
“U.S. data is incomplete, because the country has not been testing enough children to conclude how widespread the virus is among people younger than 18 and whether they are spreading the virus to others.” 7/ https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/08/cdc-director-says-theres-no-data-children-drive-coronavirus-spread-but-the-us-isnt-testing-many-kids.html
One of the pediatricians involved in drafting the policy acknowledged to the New York Times that “there will be cases of Covid-19 in schools.” Asked about the risk to educators, he took a pass: “We don’t want to tread in space where we don’t belong.” 8/ https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/us/coronavirus-schools-reopening-guidelines-aap.html
What schools are not voicing is the AAP, in a statement with the teachers’ unions, just backed away from its initial guidance, saying now that “we must pursue re-opening in a way that is safe for all students, teachers and staff.” 9/ https://www.foxnews.com/us/american-academy-pediatrics-school-reopening
The critical portion of that statement: 10/
Are school districts complying with re-opening guidance from the AAP and CDC? Let’s look at some of the highlights of the CDC guidance 11/ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/schools.html
Rutherford County, for example, will not require face masks in schools (although that could change). What does the CDC say? 12/
The American Academy of Pediatrics has similar advice for elementary schools… 13/
And for secondary schools. 15/
CDC: Desks should be “at least 6 feet apart when feasible. Turn desks to face in the same direction (rather than facing each other), or have students sit on only one side of tables, spaced apart.” 15/
At Saint Ann School, “All students will be spaced at a minimum of 3 feet apart with privacy dividers on the side of desks. This will allow students to remove their masks.” 16/
“Converging lines of evidence indicate that SARS-CoV-2 … can pass from person to person in tiny droplets called aerosols that waft through the air and accumulate over time.” 17/
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02058-1
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02058-1
Complying with CDC guidelines may be more problematic for secondary schools because of concerns about class changes. Remember, CDC says “full-sized, in-person classes” where students “mix between classes” is in the “highest risk” category. 18/
CDC guidelines suggest “identifying small groups and keeping them together” all day at school. 19/
The American Academy of Pediatrics has similar recommendations. 20/
One area not well-covered is whether teenagers should be considered more at risk than younger children - given the dramatic spread we’ve seen among young adults in their 20s. 21/ https://www.wtol.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/parents-talk-to-kids-as-covid-19-spikes-in-young-adults/512-da7c9747-79aa-4c85-a400-50ee6cd5d9dc
Finally, much of Tennessee is experiencing what the state considers to be unacceptable rates of transmission. 22/
Rutherford County, for example. 23/
And Davidson County. 24/
http://Covidexitstrategy.org now lists Tennessee in the category of "uncontrolled spread." 25/
And here is CDC guidance on what to do when there is “substantial community transmission.” 26/
“I’m just going to say it: It feels like we’re playing Russian roulette with our kids and our staff.” 27/27 https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/11/health/coronavirus-schools-reopen.html
