Good morning, ed fam. With so many KC area kids now back in school, let's talk about what the science says about reopening. 1/ https://twitter.com/kcur/status/1318196454427561984

First, this was a tough story for me to write because I knew it would upset people that I respect a lot, namely teachers who are apprehensive about returning to school. 2/

Second, this was not the story I was expecting to write in October. Back in July, when we were getting all kinds of conflicting information from doctors and public health officials, I *really* thought that schools would reopen and immediately have to close. 3/

I'm immunocompromised, and our household has been really careful throughout the pandemic. In July, when my partner had to return to the office, she considered quitting because we weren't sure if it was safe. She didn't, and it's been OK. But that's where I'm coming from. 4/

We know more than we did in July, though. Yes, it's true that kids can get the coronavirus, but there's mounting evidence from child care providers and open schools that they're not really getting their classmates and teachers sick. 5/

Usually when I say "kids," I mean anyone school-age or younger. But today, I'm going to say kids when I mean elementary & middle schoolers, and teens when I mean high schoolers. 6/

High school is a different equation because teens have a lot more agency. Remember when you were in high school? I did things I wasn't supposed to literally every day. (Sorry, Mom, if you're reading this.) 7/

Contact sports are risky. I know there are teams that have been playing without incident, but we've all seen the stories about clusters and quarantines. If teens want to play sports, it's safest for their classmates if they learn virtually, then get together with teammates. 8/

Back to elementary and middle school. If you've talked to any parents lately, they're struggling. And young kids, especially those living in poverty, need the stability and routine of being in school. 9/

This is asking a lot of teachers. I am *well-aware* of the optics of writing this thread from the safety of my bedroom office corner. And schools absolutely need to do everything in their power to accommodate vulnerable teachers and those living with high-risk individuals. 10/

But this is the part that's important: MASKING WEARING, SOCIAL DISTANCING AND HAND WASHING WORK. No, really. That's why most schools only have 1-2 cases, even with coronavirus spreading in the community. 11/