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A thread with some ideas on school reopening. The issue is not whether schools are ‘safe’ or ‘not safe’. They can and should be made safer for pupils and staff, but this is system responsibility, not the responsibility of schools alone.
There evidence is clear that children are less likely to suffer serious effects of the virus, but they can get infected. Teenagers appear more susceptible, perhaps because they are more likely to be in contexts where it easily spreads.
The virus can be brought from community settings into schools, or from schools into community settings. There is evidence in different countries of both, but many more cases of the former.
There are negative consequences when schools close, so this should be avoided as much as possible, but some pupils will have to work for periods from home, so schools should be supported to ensure this is effective.
Attendance data should reflect the reality that some pupils have to isolate at home for periods. These data should help focus support on schools that are dealing with this challenge.
The virus spreads through contact, so safety measures are about limiting the number & extent of contacts, through distancing or small bubbles; or interrupting infection, through cleaning, ventilation &, where practical, face coverings.
Limiting contacts as pupils travel to and from school is important. Staggered start and finish times can reduce crowding at school entrances. In some countries (older) pupils attend school only on some days.
Children and young people appear often to be asymptomatic, so consideration should be given to routine testing to track, trace and isolate effectively. Early warning might also reduce the number who have to isolate.
We are in a global pandemic, so this cannot be treated as a ‘normal’ year. Some schools will face greater challenges than others, so tailored, special responses should be allowed and encouraged.
Planning should cover different scenarios, and be open about when they would be applied, so that everyone has a realistic and informed sense of what might need to be done.
And we should be thankful for all the teaching and other school staff who have worked tirelessly to keep our children and young people safe.
