Reopening schools by Fall: A controversial decision 

Reopening schools by Fall: A controversial decision 

Andre Chan  

Fall is approaching us as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt every facet of many lives around the world. Number of cases and deaths rise each day, yet reopening efforts are still being made by the states. Along with those efforts included reopening schools in the Fall. Donald Trump has openly tweeted that “schools must reopen in the Fall” on July 6th. Anthony Fauci also has openly supported the idea stating that “Students need the psychological and nutritional benefits of being in school, and parents may have to dramatically modify their work schedule” (4). However he mentioned that safety should still be the main priority for students and teachers. With that being said, many of the states around the country are planning on reopening schools with the health guidelines and social distancing in mind. 

Almost immediately the reopening efforts are on the brink of backfiring.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, between July 16th and 30th nearly 97,000 American children have tested positive for COVID 19. Despite the discouraging results, many states continued to proceed with the reopening school plans. A state that I found intriguing was Georgia. On social media, a viral picture taken by a student from Paulding school district county in Georgia showcases a crowded school hallway without social distancing and few students wearing masks (2). There were also claims that the student was suspended by the school district after this incident which later was lifted after. Outcries of more emphasis on safety and social distancing were made from news articles and social media users. Questions on freedom of speech and school district priorities were brought up as suspending the student was also controversial in retrospective to the lack of social distancing shown from the student’s picture. In a suburban school district near Atlanta, Georgia, nearly 260 students and 8 teachers were quarantined after the first week of school (3). School districts in Georgia have seemed to ignore safety protocols and health guidelines which is discouraging itself. It worries many Americans including myself if school districts in other states are handling COVID 19 similarly to those of Georgia. With these results, it seems to foreshadow another possible shutdown for school districts since last spring.     

Sources: 1. CBS News. “97,000 Children Reportedly Test Positive for Coronavirus in Two Weeks as Schools Gear up for Instruction.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 9 Aug. 2020, www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-kids-school-children-coronavirus-in-person-instruction/.

2. Downey, Maureen, and Ty Tagami. “Photos of Crowded School Hallways in Paulding Lead to National Stir.” Ajc, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 7 Aug. 2020, www.ajc.com/education/photos-of-crowded-school-hallways-in-paulding-lead-to-national-stir/HBF2HAQIJ5ENJINIYTFJQEQIRM/.
3. Lynch, Jamiel, et al. “260 Students and 8 Teachers Quarantined in Georgia School District after First Week of School.” CNN, Cable News Network, 8 Aug. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/08/07/us/students-teachers-quarantined-in-georgia-school/index.html.

4. Vera, Amir, et al. “K-12 Schools and Colleges Can Reopen, but Safety Should Come First, Fauci Says.” CNN, Cable News Network, 4 Aug. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/08/03/health/us-coronavirus-monday/index.html.