CDC stamps approval to reopen schools amid pandemic
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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asserted reopening of schools amid COVID -19 pandemic on Friday by expounding guidelines for preclusion. The CDC recommends to prioritize proper mask wearing and social distancing as they decide to reinstate schools.
According to CDC director Rochelle P. Walensky, The “layered mitigation” strategy leans heavily on five key recommendations that, together, will create a safe environment to bring students back to classroom.
CDC confirms teaching staff can ascend without 100% vaccination as long as they follow the other guidelines. “Vaccination of teachers is not a prerequisite for safe reopening of schools.”Walensky said.
Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases official said ,”There is “no harm” if people want to “double mask” for added protection against Covid-19″. The limited data collected by the Department of Education shows that around 60% of US schools have opened to some form of in-person learning, most of it hybrid, Walensky mentioned.
Walensky conceded during the press conference that risk of transmission due to COVID-19 is higher during times when schools are closed. Donna Harris-Aikens, DOE senior advisor for policy and planning said ,”Fully virtual learning also brings on other challenges, including social isolation, food insecurity, and missed education milestones”
While children can be infected with COVID-19, fewer than 10% of COVID-19 cases involve children between the ages of 5 and 17, Walensky said. As research continues, and if the rate of transmission changes due to new variants of the virus, the agencies might need to update their guidelines, the CDC said.
The guidelines include:
- the universal and correct use of masks;
- physical distancing of at least 6 feet;
- handwashing and respiratory etiquette;
- cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities; and
- contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine.
