Schools face big virus test as students return to classroom

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

As educators prepare to welcome students back to class for the first time in months, schools’ ability to quickly identify and contain coronavirus outbreaks before they get out of hand will be put to the test in thousands of districts around the country.

Newly reopened schools in Mississippi, Indiana and Georgia have already reported infections just days into the academic year, triggering virus protocols that include swiftly isolating infected students, tracing their contacts and quarantining people they exposed.

“It doesn’t matter if you open schools in July, like we did, or if you open in August, September or October. All schools are going to have to deal with the issue of positive COVID-19 test results,” said Lee Childress, superintendent of Corinth School District in Mississippi, where more than 100 students are quarantined at home after being exposed to a handful of infected classmates.

Schools are trying to mitigate the risk of transmission by spreading desks apart, serving meals in the classroom and keeping groups of students together throughout the day. Many schools — but not all — will require students and staff to wear masks, which health experts say is critical to cutting down on spread.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/schools-face-big-virus-test-as-students-return-to-classroom/ar-BB17JkDa?li=BBnb7Kz

[keithbvadu2]

1. What are the acceptable infection/death rates before shutdown again?

What are the acceptable infection/death rates before shutdown again?

That must be in the plan.

Or are they unlimited?

[Freddie]

2. This is a really tough call for my daughter

The district wants to open mid-September. Elementary with a choice of 5, 5 hour days or all online. They will be following the measures above (distance, masks, lunch in classrooms) and encouraging parents to drop kids off rather than ride the bus if at all possible.
We’re in an area that takes this seriously and I’ve only seen one person without a mask in the grocery store. Cases are going down in this part of the county. My daughter’s a nurse (not in a Covid unit), this is very real. But both kids did horrible in online school in the spring. My granddaughter (5th grade) has ADHD and gets special accommodations; the little guy is starting 1st grade and way behind in reading already. So they’re both starting in-person school, I will provide the transportation. We will all be keeping a close eye on the situation.