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Administration Offers Guidance to Schools as They Shut Down on Their Own Administration Offers Guidance to Schools as They Shut Down on Their Own
(3 months later)
WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised schools on Friday that closings for at least eight weeks might be the most effective way to contain the coronavirus. The Education Department released school districts from a slew of testing and accountability measures required by federal law.WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised schools on Friday that closings for at least eight weeks might be the most effective way to contain the coronavirus. The Education Department released school districts from a slew of testing and accountability measures required by federal law.
But schools across the country were far ahead of the Trump administration’s advice. A cascade of public school closings gained speed nationwide on Friday, with the largest school district in California, the Los Angeles Unified School District, announcing it was closing, along with the San Diego Unified School District. They joined other large cities like Washington, Miami and Seattle, and more than a dozen states like Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oregon, New Mexico and Michigan.But schools across the country were far ahead of the Trump administration’s advice. A cascade of public school closings gained speed nationwide on Friday, with the largest school district in California, the Los Angeles Unified School District, announcing it was closing, along with the San Diego Unified School District. They joined other large cities like Washington, Miami and Seattle, and more than a dozen states like Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Oregon, New Mexico and Michigan.
At least 21,000 schools have been closed or are scheduled to close, according to Education Week, affecting at least 15 million students. A majority of closings announced by school districts range from two to six weeks, which the C.D.C. considered “short- to medium-term closures” that would “not impact” the huge wave of infections that are expected in the next few weeks.At least 21,000 schools have been closed or are scheduled to close, according to Education Week, affecting at least 15 million students. A majority of closings announced by school districts range from two to six weeks, which the C.D.C. considered “short- to medium-term closures” that would “not impact” the huge wave of infections that are expected in the next few weeks.
Danny Carlson, the associate executive director of policy and advocacy for the National Association of Elementary School Principals, called the timing of the C.D.C. guidance “baffling.”Danny Carlson, the associate executive director of policy and advocacy for the National Association of Elementary School Principals, called the timing of the C.D.C. guidance “baffling.”
“Where was this a week ago?” he said.“Where was this a week ago?” he said.
The C.D.C. conceded that long-term closings could significantly affect academic outcomes for students, economic conditions for struggling families and health conditions for grandparents who care for students.The C.D.C. conceded that long-term closings could significantly affect academic outcomes for students, economic conditions for struggling families and health conditions for grandparents who care for students.
And while it had data that could help decide when to close schools, the C.D.C. said it did not have data on the right time to reopen them.And while it had data that could help decide when to close schools, the C.D.C. said it did not have data on the right time to reopen them.
On Thursday, the Education Department announced that it would relieve school systems of some of their responsibilities under federal law. It will consider one-year waivers for state-administered tests or requirements that districts test 95 percent of their students. It would also allow waivers for certain measures of a school’s effectiveness ratings, such as chronic absenteeism, as required under the Every Student Succeeds Act.On Thursday, the Education Department announced that it would relieve school systems of some of their responsibilities under federal law. It will consider one-year waivers for state-administered tests or requirements that districts test 95 percent of their students. It would also allow waivers for certain measures of a school’s effectiveness ratings, such as chronic absenteeism, as required under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
The department also said schools were not obligated to provide special education while classes were canceled for all students, but they must resume services when they reopen or if they shift classes online.The department also said schools were not obligated to provide special education while classes were canceled for all students, but they must resume services when they reopen or if they shift classes online.
The administration’s guidance came at the end of an anxiety-ridden week for elementary and secondary school leaders who have argued over whether to follow their counterparts in higher education in sending students home.The administration’s guidance came at the end of an anxiety-ridden week for elementary and secondary school leaders who have argued over whether to follow their counterparts in higher education in sending students home.
The C.D.C.’s previous guidance had advised only on hygienic measures and local decision-making. It was quietly updated on Thursday to include a recommendation that a school should consider closing for two to five days if it had a confirmed case.The C.D.C.’s previous guidance had advised only on hygienic measures and local decision-making. It was quietly updated on Thursday to include a recommendation that a school should consider closing for two to five days if it had a confirmed case.
While colleges and universities moved swiftly to empty campuses and teach remotely for the next several weeks — some for the entire semester — school superintendents have had to contend with the fact that mass school closings could upend entire cities. The nation’s public school system serves more than 50 million students — more than double the number of college students — and provide the most reliable form of child care and social services.While colleges and universities moved swiftly to empty campuses and teach remotely for the next several weeks — some for the entire semester — school superintendents have had to contend with the fact that mass school closings could upend entire cities. The nation’s public school system serves more than 50 million students — more than double the number of college students — and provide the most reliable form of child care and social services.
“In college, you’re dealing with adults and the ability to provide online instruction, which many colleges are already doing. That’s not the case in K-12,” said Daniel A. Domenech, the executive director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association. “In terms of educational continuity, we’re going to see a lot of disparity between the districts that have the capacity to do it and those that don’t.”“In college, you’re dealing with adults and the ability to provide online instruction, which many colleges are already doing. That’s not the case in K-12,” said Daniel A. Domenech, the executive director of AASA, the School Superintendents Association. “In terms of educational continuity, we’re going to see a lot of disparity between the districts that have the capacity to do it and those that don’t.”
Congressional lawmakers and education leaders have pressed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to help schools navigate the mass closings. The most vulnerable students in public schools rely on critical services like food and special education.Congressional lawmakers and education leaders have pressed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to help schools navigate the mass closings. The most vulnerable students in public schools rely on critical services like food and special education.
Those hardships have led some of the nation’s largest school districts, like New York City — which serves overwhelming numbers of homeless and poor students — to hold off on shutting down.Those hardships have led some of the nation’s largest school districts, like New York City — which serves overwhelming numbers of homeless and poor students — to hold off on shutting down.
“There are three pillars to protecting this city and the long-term health and safety of our people: our Schools, our mass transit and our health care system,” Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York said on Friday.“There are three pillars to protecting this city and the long-term health and safety of our people: our Schools, our mass transit and our health care system,” Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York said on Friday.
Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, said the Trump administration had left schools “agonizing” over decisions that stemmed from a lack of preparation — including enough testing — early in the crisis.Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, said the Trump administration had left schools “agonizing” over decisions that stemmed from a lack of preparation — including enough testing — early in the crisis.
“Because there’s no way to track the vector, people don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way,” she said.“Because there’s no way to track the vector, people don’t want to put anyone in harm’s way,” she said.
Facing pressure from parents, conflicting messages from experts and silence from the federal government, superintendents moved on their own.Facing pressure from parents, conflicting messages from experts and silence from the federal government, superintendents moved on their own.
By 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld of the North Shore School District in Illinois was hurrying from his fourth meeting of the day, having just sent his fifth letter of the week about the coronavirus. He had informed the community of his decision to postpone activities, events and gatherings, without the blessing of the public health department.By 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld of the North Shore School District in Illinois was hurrying from his fourth meeting of the day, having just sent his fifth letter of the week about the coronavirus. He had informed the community of his decision to postpone activities, events and gatherings, without the blessing of the public health department.
“In the past 48 hours, it has become profoundly clear to me that the speed at which this situation is developing exceeds that of communication coming from government agencies,” Mr. Lubelfeld said.“In the past 48 hours, it has become profoundly clear to me that the speed at which this situation is developing exceeds that of communication coming from government agencies,” Mr. Lubelfeld said.
After 12- to 18-hour days of monitoring news reports and communication with more than a half dozen government agencies and coordinating with 45 superintendents in his county, Mr. Lubelfeld was still grappling with whether he should close his 4,000-student district.After 12- to 18-hour days of monitoring news reports and communication with more than a half dozen government agencies and coordinating with 45 superintendents in his county, Mr. Lubelfeld was still grappling with whether he should close his 4,000-student district.
“We prepare for all types of occurrences, from the God-forbid active shooter to the typical water main break, to the ice day and snow day,” he said. “I cannot think of something that has been at such a scale.”“We prepare for all types of occurrences, from the God-forbid active shooter to the typical water main break, to the ice day and snow day,” he said. “I cannot think of something that has been at such a scale.”
By Thursday Mr. Lubelfeld had already started preparations, reaching out to the local food pantry, library and township to ensure that the 25 percent of students who received federally subsidized meals would have food. The district had purchased three-month subscriptions for internet hot spots for 50 families.By Thursday Mr. Lubelfeld had already started preparations, reaching out to the local food pantry, library and township to ensure that the 25 percent of students who received federally subsidized meals would have food. The district had purchased three-month subscriptions for internet hot spots for 50 families.
Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Still, when he walked in to the emergency school board meeting he had called that evening, Mr. Lubelfeld was unsure — until he faced impassioned parents and frustrated board members.Still, when he walked in to the emergency school board meeting he had called that evening, Mr. Lubelfeld was unsure — until he faced impassioned parents and frustrated board members.
“Now is not the time for complacency; it is the time for decisive action,” pleaded Mia Levy, a mother of two students who is also a doctor and the director of the Rush University Cancer Center. “Your actions will save lives.”“Now is not the time for complacency; it is the time for decisive action,” pleaded Mia Levy, a mother of two students who is also a doctor and the director of the Rush University Cancer Center. “Your actions will save lives.”
Daniel Wertheimer, a father who had already pulled his children out of school, told Mr. Lubelfeld that “because you’re keeping the schools open, there’s going to be folks — elderly, our age — that probably die, and that decision is on you.”Daniel Wertheimer, a father who had already pulled his children out of school, told Mr. Lubelfeld that “because you’re keeping the schools open, there’s going to be folks — elderly, our age — that probably die, and that decision is on you.”
Bennett W. Lasko, the president of the school board, expressed frustration that the district was left to make the decision alone, citing “imperfect information, inconsistent from one authority to another.”Bennett W. Lasko, the president of the school board, expressed frustration that the district was left to make the decision alone, citing “imperfect information, inconsistent from one authority to another.”
“We’re volunteers up here, and we’re a reasonably smart group of people, but we’re not able to assess the pros and cons of closing schools,” he said.“We’re volunteers up here, and we’re a reasonably smart group of people, but we’re not able to assess the pros and cons of closing schools,” he said.
During the meeting, Mr. Lubelfeld looked at his iPad and learned that at least two neighboring districts and two states had decided to close schools. The Illinois governor had held a news conference at 5 p.m., canceling large group gatherings, including school assemblies.During the meeting, Mr. Lubelfeld looked at his iPad and learned that at least two neighboring districts and two states had decided to close schools. The Illinois governor had held a news conference at 5 p.m., canceling large group gatherings, including school assemblies.
By the end of the meeting, Mr. Lubelfeld announced that he planned to keep schools open and update the community on a long-term plan for closings by Friday morning.By the end of the meeting, Mr. Lubelfeld announced that he planned to keep schools open and update the community on a long-term plan for closings by Friday morning.
Less than two hours later, Mr. Lubelfeld sent his sixth letter of the week: “To safeguard the health and wellness of students, staff and the community, I have made the decision to close all schools in North Shore School District 112 effective immediately.”Less than two hours later, Mr. Lubelfeld sent his sixth letter of the week: “To safeguard the health and wellness of students, staff and the community, I have made the decision to close all schools in North Shore School District 112 effective immediately.”