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N.Y.C. Schools, Nation’s Largest District, Will Not Fully Reopen in Fall N.Y.C. Schools, Nation’s Largest District, Will Not Fully Reopen in Fall
(32 minutes later)
About four months after 1.1 million New York City children were forced into online learning, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday that public schools would still not fully reopen in September, saying that classroom attendance would instead be limited to only one to three days a week in an effort to continue to curb the coronavirus outbreak.About four months after 1.1 million New York City children were forced into online learning, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday that public schools would still not fully reopen in September, saying that classroom attendance would instead be limited to only one to three days a week in an effort to continue to curb the coronavirus outbreak.
The mayor’s release of his plan for the system, by far the nation’s largest, capped weeks of intense debate among elected officials, educators and public health experts over how to bring children back safely to 1,800 public schools.The mayor’s release of his plan for the system, by far the nation’s largest, capped weeks of intense debate among elected officials, educators and public health experts over how to bring children back safely to 1,800 public schools.
The decision to opt for only a partial reopening, which is most likely the only way to accommodate students in school buildings while maintaining social distancing, may hinder hundreds of thousands of parents from returning to their pre-pandemic work lives, undermining the recovery of the sputtering local economy.The decision to opt for only a partial reopening, which is most likely the only way to accommodate students in school buildings while maintaining social distancing, may hinder hundreds of thousands of parents from returning to their pre-pandemic work lives, undermining the recovery of the sputtering local economy.
Still, the staggered schedules in New York City schools for September reflect a growing trend among school systems, universities and colleges around the country, which are all trying to find ways of balancing the urgent need to bring students back to classrooms and campuses while also reducing density to prevent the spread of the virus.Still, the staggered schedules in New York City schools for September reflect a growing trend among school systems, universities and colleges around the country, which are all trying to find ways of balancing the urgent need to bring students back to classrooms and campuses while also reducing density to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Everyone is looking to the public school system to indicate the bigger direction of New York City,” Mr. de Blasio said Wednesday.“Everyone is looking to the public school system to indicate the bigger direction of New York City,” Mr. de Blasio said Wednesday.
Under the mayor’s plan, there will probably be no more than a dozen people in a classroom at a time, including teachers and aides, a stark change from typical class size in New York City schools, which can hover around 30 children.Under the mayor’s plan, there will probably be no more than a dozen people in a classroom at a time, including teachers and aides, a stark change from typical class size in New York City schools, which can hover around 30 children.
Educators widely consider online learning to be a poor substitute for the classroom, especially for younger children and those with special needs. The shift has also created enormous challenges for parents who have struggled helping their children learn even as they have had to maintain jobs from home or, if they are essential workers, had to scramble for child care.Educators widely consider online learning to be a poor substitute for the classroom, especially for younger children and those with special needs. The shift has also created enormous challenges for parents who have struggled helping their children learn even as they have had to maintain jobs from home or, if they are essential workers, had to scramble for child care.
Still, like New York City’s, many school districts around the country are planning on not reopening fully, and instead will use a mix of in-person and remote learning indefinitely.Still, like New York City’s, many school districts around the country are planning on not reopening fully, and instead will use a mix of in-person and remote learning indefinitely.
President Trump threatened on Wednesday to cut off federal funding to school districts that do not reopen in person this fall. On Tuesday he said that the social, psychological and educational costs of keeping children at home would be worse than the virus itself. Education policy is largely controlled by state and local officials, so Mr. Trump does not have authority over whether systems reopen.President Trump threatened on Wednesday to cut off federal funding to school districts that do not reopen in person this fall. On Tuesday he said that the social, psychological and educational costs of keeping children at home would be worse than the virus itself. Education policy is largely controlled by state and local officials, so Mr. Trump does not have authority over whether systems reopen.
The details of reopening will vary widely between districts depending on the virus’ spread, which is why a return to school may look very different in New York, where transmission is currently low, than in Phoenix, where cases are increasing.The details of reopening will vary widely between districts depending on the virus’ spread, which is why a return to school may look very different in New York, where transmission is currently low, than in Phoenix, where cases are increasing.
In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has authority over when schools across the state, including in New York City, can reopen. Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio have long feuded over schools, and Mr. Cuomo could still halt the mayor’s timeline for reopening.In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has authority over when schools across the state, including in New York City, can reopen. Mr. Cuomo and Mr. de Blasio have long feuded over schools, and Mr. Cuomo could still halt the mayor’s timeline for reopening.
The governor did not contradict Mr. de Blasio on Wednesday. Instead, he reiterated that he has the ultimate decision about whether to reopen schools at all, and that his office will make those decisions in the first week of August. The governor said he expected some parents to decide whether to send their children back to school in person the night before reopening.The governor did not contradict Mr. de Blasio on Wednesday. Instead, he reiterated that he has the ultimate decision about whether to reopen schools at all, and that his office will make those decisions in the first week of August. The governor said he expected some parents to decide whether to send their children back to school in person the night before reopening.
Under Mr. de Blasio’s plan, school principals will spend July determining which of three staggered schedule options to adopt. That decision will depend on how many students and staff can fit into school buildings while social distancing, and on how many families want their children to return to school in the first place.Under Mr. de Blasio’s plan, school principals will spend July determining which of three staggered schedule options to adopt. That decision will depend on how many students and staff can fit into school buildings while social distancing, and on how many families want their children to return to school in the first place.
School leaders will let parents know in August which days children can report to school, and which days they will learn remotely.School leaders will let parents know in August which days children can report to school, and which days they will learn remotely.
The city’s models are based on current federal guidelines that recommend six feet of distance between students.The city’s models are based on current federal guidelines that recommend six feet of distance between students.
After Mr. Trump said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s school reopening guidelines were too onerous, Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that the C.D.C. would issue updated guidelines on schools next week. If the guidance is more relaxed, it could mean that New York and other districts across the country may be able to accommodate more children in person come fall — if districts believe the new recommendations are safe.After Mr. Trump said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s school reopening guidelines were too onerous, Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday that the C.D.C. would issue updated guidelines on schools next week. If the guidance is more relaxed, it could mean that New York and other districts across the country may be able to accommodate more children in person come fall — if districts believe the new recommendations are safe.
Officials in Massachusetts, for example, have already said schools could reopen there with at least three feet of distance between children.Officials in Massachusetts, for example, have already said schools could reopen there with at least three feet of distance between children.
Schools that can accommodate at least half of the student body with distancing guidelines will be able to educate children in person two or three days every week, while schools that can fit only about a third of students will have children attend one or two days a week.Schools that can accommodate at least half of the student body with distancing guidelines will be able to educate children in person two or three days every week, while schools that can fit only about a third of students will have children attend one or two days a week.
A relatively small number of students with special needs in schools that already had very small class sizes could return for alternating full weeks or even full-time.A relatively small number of students with special needs in schools that already had very small class sizes could return for alternating full weeks or even full-time.
Though school is scheduled to begin in early September, the options announced Wednesday could still change significantly.Though school is scheduled to begin in early September, the options announced Wednesday could still change significantly.
After New York become the national epicenter of the pandemic this spring, the city flattened the curve significantly, but a significant drop — or spike — could alter how schools reopen.After New York become the national epicenter of the pandemic this spring, the city flattened the curve significantly, but a significant drop — or spike — could alter how schools reopen.
City Hall does not yet know precisely how many parents are planning to keep their children home from school but will begin formally asking families next week. If the number of students who opt for full-time remote learning turns out to be much higher or lower than anticipated, the models could change again. Like many urban school districts, New York has moved away from neighborhood high schools to schools that admit students from all over the city — many of whom have long trips on public transportation.City Hall does not yet know precisely how many parents are planning to keep their children home from school but will begin formally asking families next week. If the number of students who opt for full-time remote learning turns out to be much higher or lower than anticipated, the models could change again. Like many urban school districts, New York has moved away from neighborhood high schools to schools that admit students from all over the city — many of whom have long trips on public transportation.
Reopening public schools, even in a limited capacity, is the biggest and most complex obstacle on New York’s long path to a full reopening.Reopening public schools, even in a limited capacity, is the biggest and most complex obstacle on New York’s long path to a full reopening.
The vast majority of the city’s public school students are low-income, and many of their parents and caretakers are essential workers who had little choice but to report to work even at the height of the pandemic.The vast majority of the city’s public school students are low-income, and many of their parents and caretakers are essential workers who had little choice but to report to work even at the height of the pandemic.
A Department of Education survey of about 400,000 parents found that about 75 percent of families are tentatively willing to send their children back to school.A Department of Education survey of about 400,000 parents found that about 75 percent of families are tentatively willing to send their children back to school.
Perhaps the biggest unanswered question of the reopening effort is how working families will find child care for the days when their children cannot be physically present in school. Mr. de Blasio said the city would look to maximize classroom space wherever it can, but acknowledged, “this is something we’re going to be building as we go along.”Perhaps the biggest unanswered question of the reopening effort is how working families will find child care for the days when their children cannot be physically present in school. Mr. de Blasio said the city would look to maximize classroom space wherever it can, but acknowledged, “this is something we’re going to be building as we go along.”
New York is experiencing its worst financial disaster since the 1970s, and getting as many people back to work as possible is an urgent priority for Mr. de Blasio’s administration.New York is experiencing its worst financial disaster since the 1970s, and getting as many people back to work as possible is an urgent priority for Mr. de Blasio’s administration.
Updated July 15, 2020Updated July 15, 2020
The coronavirus can stay aloft for hours in tiny droplets in stagnant air, infecting people as they inhale, mounting scientific evidence suggests. This risk is highest in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation, and may help explain super-spreading events reported in meatpacking plants, churches and restaurants. It’s unclear how often the virus is spread via these tiny droplets, or aerosols, compared with larger droplets that are expelled when a sick person coughs or sneezes, or transmitted through contact with contaminated surfaces, said Linsey Marr, an aerosol expert at Virginia Tech. Aerosols are released even when a person without symptoms exhales, talks or sings, according to Dr. Marr and more than 200 other experts, who have outlined the evidence in an open letter to the World Health Organization.
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.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
Finding ways to plug the enormous gaps in child care is sure to be a citywide effort that does not rely solely on the Department of Education, since school buildings will be fully occupied by September.Finding ways to plug the enormous gaps in child care is sure to be a citywide effort that does not rely solely on the Department of Education, since school buildings will be fully occupied by September.
The city will have to find other public and private space to accommodate thousands of children a day. The city Board of Health recently authorized the reopening of child care centers, but those centers have only a tiny fraction of the capacity the city will need come September.The city will have to find other public and private space to accommodate thousands of children a day. The city Board of Health recently authorized the reopening of child care centers, but those centers have only a tiny fraction of the capacity the city will need come September.
Anand Raghunath, a parent of two children who attend school in East Harlem, spent Wednesday morning frantically plotting out child care options for the fall.Anand Raghunath, a parent of two children who attend school in East Harlem, spent Wednesday morning frantically plotting out child care options for the fall.
After he heard the mayor’s announcement, Mr. Raghunath said he turned to his wife, who works in a hospital, and asked, “What are we going to do?”After he heard the mayor’s announcement, Mr. Raghunath said he turned to his wife, who works in a hospital, and asked, “What are we going to do?”
He said the proposal, with students attending school physically for a range of one to three days a week, does not allow his family to do much specific planning. For now, Mr. Raghunath’s strategy is to have his mother-in-law fly in from California and watch the children while he and his wife work.He said the proposal, with students attending school physically for a range of one to three days a week, does not allow his family to do much specific planning. For now, Mr. Raghunath’s strategy is to have his mother-in-law fly in from California and watch the children while he and his wife work.
“We’re all at a standstill here,” he said.“We’re all at a standstill here,” he said.
Restarting school even a few days a week presents myriad logistical hurdles.Restarting school even a few days a week presents myriad logistical hurdles.
Many of the city’s school buildings are over a century old, with poor air ventilation and cramped classrooms and hallways. Drastic budget cuts have left many schools with less money to hire teachers and staff — all while the city estimates that about one in five current teachers will receive medical exemptions to work remotely.Many of the city’s school buildings are over a century old, with poor air ventilation and cramped classrooms and hallways. Drastic budget cuts have left many schools with less money to hire teachers and staff — all while the city estimates that about one in five current teachers will receive medical exemptions to work remotely.
Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza said Wednesday that the city would try to bring as many Department of Education employees with teaching certificates into classrooms as possible.Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza said Wednesday that the city would try to bring as many Department of Education employees with teaching certificates into classrooms as possible.
Though union leaders have raised alarms about whether schools will have enough personal protective gear and nurses to safely reopen, the city has said it will deep clean schools each night and have sanitizer and disinfectant in all classrooms and common spaces. Some teachers have said they did not have enough resources to keep schools clean when the virus was spreading in March.Though union leaders have raised alarms about whether schools will have enough personal protective gear and nurses to safely reopen, the city has said it will deep clean schools each night and have sanitizer and disinfectant in all classrooms and common spaces. Some teachers have said they did not have enough resources to keep schools clean when the virus was spreading in March.
“We can make up learning for students,” Mr. Carranza said. “We cannot bring a student back who is infected and passes away.” All teachers and students will be expected to wear masks throughout the school day come fall.“We can make up learning for students,” Mr. Carranza said. “We cannot bring a student back who is infected and passes away.” All teachers and students will be expected to wear masks throughout the school day come fall.
Mr. de Blasio on Wednesday laid out three schedules for principals to consider.Mr. de Blasio on Wednesday laid out three schedules for principals to consider.
The most generous model would apply to schools that can accommodate at least half of their students while adhering to social distancing. In that scenario, two cohorts of students would cycle in and out on alternating days that remain consistent throughout the semester.The most generous model would apply to schools that can accommodate at least half of their students while adhering to social distancing. In that scenario, two cohorts of students would cycle in and out on alternating days that remain consistent throughout the semester.
For example, one group might attend school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the second group in classes on Wednesdays and Fridays, while Mondays alternate weekly between the two groups.For example, one group might attend school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with the second group in classes on Wednesdays and Fridays, while Mondays alternate weekly between the two groups.
More crowded schools will have three groups of students who attend school just once or twice a week. Those students will all have five days of in person instruction every three weeks, but some middle and high school students might not be in school on any consistent day week to week.More crowded schools will have three groups of students who attend school just once or twice a week. Those students will all have five days of in person instruction every three weeks, but some middle and high school students might not be in school on any consistent day week to week.
Mr. Cuomo will have some oversight regarding how New York’s hundreds of private, parochial and charter schools plan to reopen this fall. There are many charter schools that share buildings with district schools and will likely have to follow the same basic staggering plans, though charters in private spaces could have more flexibility.Mr. Cuomo will have some oversight regarding how New York’s hundreds of private, parochial and charter schools plan to reopen this fall. There are many charter schools that share buildings with district schools and will likely have to follow the same basic staggering plans, though charters in private spaces could have more flexibility.
Private schools that already had smaller class sizes and spacious buildings may be able to accommodate more children in person than most public schools.Private schools that already had smaller class sizes and spacious buildings may be able to accommodate more children in person than most public schools.