We can’t afford a generation forever disadvantaged by higher-education institutions’ decisions to limit in-person classes. Instead of shuttering doors, schools' plans should be based on their unique circumstances and protecting high-risk populations: https://bit.ly/2FtBE0B 

Science tells us that young adults are at extremely low risk for serious illness or death from COVID-19. CDC data shows only 0.2 percent of deaths have been in those under age 25.

That’s fewer than 400 deaths in a country of 330 million, and fewer than the 407 from influenza.

CDC data also confirms that hospitalization rates for those 18 to 29 are also very small compared to older groups. At the pandemic’s peak week, hospitalization rates for those 18 to 29 equaled 4.9 per 100,000, compared to the peak of 66.7 of those 85 or older.

Yes, cases will increase among young people as they socially interact, but that shouldn’t be a cause for panic if people adhere to CDC mitigation measures to protect the vulnerable.

The sensationalistic phrase “school outbreaks” is misleading: These are typically “cases” detected by testing, not clinically significant illness. Indeed, zero hospitalizations have occurred among the first 25,941 “cases” detected by testing.

We are already seeing the negative effects of students not attending school. Almost three-fourths of those aged 18 to 24 reported at least one mental-health symptom by the end of June. A quarter of that age group contemplated suicide in the previous 30 days.

If schools send students home, they will create greater health risks for the nation. Homes are higher-risk settings than schools and are more likely to include older family members. Global data consistently show that homes are where most cases spread.

Virtual learning is also a poor substitute for the education and development that happen on campus. The students most at risk of falling behind from distance learning are those from lower- and middle-income families.

The president's approach is based on the demands of science and common sense. As he has said repeatedly, the cure can’t be worse than the disease.

Our universities, the best in the world, should think through their policies and use their resources to stay open.

It’s critical to our nation, it’s safer and it will achieve the most important goal of all — educating our young people, the nation’s most precious resource.