How safe is it to send our students back to school?
It’s the question across our nation and fixed in the brains on parents.
How safe it it really to open the doors of schools again?
Honestly, it is being done. The question is, are we putting our children at risk and don’t know it? Parents are ultimately responsible for children’s well being and it’s really scary to process as a parent. We don’t really know a lot about the virus. It feels like hundreds of reports come out daily. Each telling us what we should and shouldn’t do when it comes to the virus; most are contradictory. What do we do when the doors open but we are still unsure whether to send them through or not?
Remember that all news is not accurate news and that fear won’t keep them safe. While some may be at a higher risk of getting sick there are others that are at risk of academic failure if they don’t get the in person instruction that they need to succeed.
Here are some facts about the issue that may help your family make a decision:
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The biggest factor is going to exposure levels in your area.
Europe and some areas in the U.S have been able to safely reopen due to the fact that their exposure levels are not as high as other places. There is no nationwide unified strategy to do this so states are on their own when figuring out the safest times to reopen. If the area is having controlled cases then it may be safe reopen schools with safety procedures in places for all who enter.
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Fewer children than adults become infected.
Most children are asymptomatic and younger children appear to be less at risk. Students that are considered high risk or reside with someone high risk would be online to reduce the risk of infection in their home. Experts suggest the K-5 be brought back into schools first. That age group is the least likely to both spread the virus and benefit from online learning. The death rate children is the lowest and only 9% of overall cases.
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We may only know real numbers if we send children back to school.
It is scary but true. Young children have been in the home more than any other age group so the data that we have on children are based on that alone. We know that kids can catch and transmit the virus but right now the data comes from children that contracted it from an adult. Some experts believe that school may be a safer environment for both student and teachers because of this. Transmission is going to continue to be one of the hardest thing to track. To get the most accurate data we have to transition into a new normal that resembles our old routine.
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Taking precautions outside of state regulations are going to be key.
When schools open there are going to be mask requirements. As parents we need to take extra steps to ensure that our students are safe when they return. Quality PPE is going to be key to protecting your child. Making sure your child has a comfortable and breathable mask is going to reduce their urge to adjust or remove their mask. Though we teach our children about washing hands and such we also have to teach the importance of sanitizing wipes and distance.
So what does that all mean?
Ultimately, there are a lot of parents who feel that school districts should be offering a choice. There is no right or wrong answer when dealing with something that is so new to us all. No one wants their child used as a variable in a trial by scientists. Essentially every district in every state is going to have a decision to make and as parents we maybe forced into something we are not quite ready for.
Is it safe to send our students back?
If the experts are honest then they would say, ” We don’t know”. The truth is that it all depends on where you live and what changes can be made in the school that your child goes to. Parents still have to protect their students the best ways possible. For some parents the physical illness risk is too high and for other the risk of watching their children fall behind outweigh the risk of illness. The decision is a very complex one for most families especially if there are multiple children in the home. Make sure you know what your school’s guidance is in case of an outbreak.
Fear can’t be allowed to rule our future. It’s been proven that almost 90% of students learn better in person; there’s a point where being out of school is endangering their future. Colleges and businesses are opening and it may be time for our K-12 students to re-engage in learning and with each other. Follow sites like Kids Health for more information on how to keep your student safe if they are returning to school.
Protecting Our Students is not only on a mission to end gun violence in schools but we also are working hard to make sure every child returns to school safely. We are providing schools with SafeKits for every student in their school. Contact us to day to find out how your school can receive theirs.
