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In a change for me, please read my analysis of COVID-19 cases among teachers and school staff, using newer data from @profemilyoster’s Dashboard. In brief: I found that in-person schooling correlates with increased COVID-19 spread for educators. https://link.medium.com/UeMdYtNtPcb
Some background: A key issue for opening schools during the pandemic is making sure teachers are safe. A key data source on teacher safety is Dr. Emily Oster’s COVID-19 Dashboard.
The Dashboard’s data had been cited as showing that educators' infection rates were not elevated, suggesting that schools should be open. But that analysis was based on from data earlier this fall.
I analyzed this issue myself, using the dashboard’s built-in analytic tools and newer data from December. The results differed dramatically.
During December, with the pandemic surging, COVID rates in New York state were 53% higher among elementary school teachers and staff compared to the community baseline.
This trend was also present in the Texas and nationwide datasets. (See the write-up for details).
Efforts like the COVID-19 school dashboard are good and should be expanded. But data shift over time, especially during this pandemic.
We owe it to teachers and school staff to monitor these changes and to consider adjusting our policies accordingly.
This side project is quite different from my day job, so I am very open to feedback!
