The Debate About School Reopening, Explained
It’s not looking good for the U.S.
The question of whether schools can and should reopen in the fall is becoming fraught. While so far the research suggests that children are not at a high risk of getting severe Covid-19, there are still several risks.
Increasing data has suggested that while children can get Covid-19, if they do get it, the symptoms are typically very mild. In most cases, according to health economist Emily Oster, 97% of confirmed cases in children are asymptomatic, mild, or moderate. They also do not seem to get infected at rates as high as those of adults. But as the New York Times recently pointed out, many of the studies showing that children are not major spreaders of Covid-19 use data collected in countries in lockdown or where strict prevention measures are in place. Since data shows children can get Covid-19 and they can spread it (even if it’s less likely), there’s a risk of children transmitting the virus to school employees or bringing it home and spreading it to family members.
There are lots of precautions that can be put into place to try and avoid the spread, like keeping students in small groups, avoiding activities like field trips, and using strict distancing and cleaning measures. All of these options are shared by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which…
