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‘Big Mess’ Looms if Schools Don’t Get Billions to Reopen Safely ‘Big Mess’ Looms if Schools Don’t Get Billions to Reopen Safely
(6 days later)
Bus monitors to screen students for symptoms in Marietta, Ga.: $640,000. Protective gear and classroom cleaning equipment for a small district in rural Michigan: $100,000. Disinfecting school buildings and hiring extra nurses and educators in San Diego: $90 million.Bus monitors to screen students for symptoms in Marietta, Ga.: $640,000. Protective gear and classroom cleaning equipment for a small district in rural Michigan: $100,000. Disinfecting school buildings and hiring extra nurses and educators in San Diego: $90 million.
As the White House, the nation’s pediatricians and many worn-down, economically strapped parents push for school doors to swing open this fall, local education officials say they are being crushed by the costs of getting students and teachers back in classrooms safely.As the White House, the nation’s pediatricians and many worn-down, economically strapped parents push for school doors to swing open this fall, local education officials say they are being crushed by the costs of getting students and teachers back in classrooms safely.
President Trump threatened this week to cut off federal funding to districts that do not reopen, though he controls only a sliver of money for schools. But administrators say they are already struggling to cover the head-spinning logistical and financial challenges of retrofitting buildings, adding staff members and protective gear, and providing students with the academic and emotional support that many will need after a traumatic disruption to their lives.President Trump threatened this week to cut off federal funding to districts that do not reopen, though he controls only a sliver of money for schools. But administrators say they are already struggling to cover the head-spinning logistical and financial challenges of retrofitting buildings, adding staff members and protective gear, and providing students with the academic and emotional support that many will need after a traumatic disruption to their lives.
The federal relief package passed in March dedicated $13.5 billion to K-12 education — less than 1 percent of the total stimulus. But education groups estimate that schools will need many times that, and with many local and state budgets already depleted by the economic impact of the coronavirus, it is unclear where it will come from.The federal relief package passed in March dedicated $13.5 billion to K-12 education — less than 1 percent of the total stimulus. But education groups estimate that schools will need many times that, and with many local and state budgets already depleted by the economic impact of the coronavirus, it is unclear where it will come from.
“If Congress doesn’t do something in the summer, there is going to be a big mess,” said John Lee Evans, president of the San Diego Board of Education.“If Congress doesn’t do something in the summer, there is going to be a big mess,” said John Lee Evans, president of the San Diego Board of Education.
Dr. Evans, a psychologist, said his district hoped to physically reopen five days a week, starting Aug. 31, for families that want their children to attend in-person classes. But it currently has the money to do so safely for only half of the academic year, he said, and might need to revert to online instruction after the winter holidays.Dr. Evans, a psychologist, said his district hoped to physically reopen five days a week, starting Aug. 31, for families that want their children to attend in-person classes. But it currently has the money to do so safely for only half of the academic year, he said, and might need to revert to online instruction after the winter holidays.
The district’s superintendent, Cindy Marten, has been calling colleagues in political swing states, like Ohio and Colorado, to ask them to lobby their senators to pass additional education funding. Democratic plans in Congress call for between $58 billion and $175 billion for local schools, but those efforts lack significant Republican support.The district’s superintendent, Cindy Marten, has been calling colleagues in political swing states, like Ohio and Colorado, to ask them to lobby their senators to pass additional education funding. Democratic plans in Congress call for between $58 billion and $175 billion for local schools, but those efforts lack significant Republican support.
“It’s incredible to me that the federal government would see the necessity of bailing out airlines and banks,” said Adam Goldstein, a fifth-grade teacher in San Diego, “and not see the need to do something similar for the public schools in this country.”“It’s incredible to me that the federal government would see the necessity of bailing out airlines and banks,” said Adam Goldstein, a fifth-grade teacher in San Diego, “and not see the need to do something similar for the public schools in this country.”
Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, has said he is open to a “final” relief bill that would cover some of the expenses of opening schools safely. “We can’t get back to normal if the kids are not back in school,” he said this week.Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, has said he is open to a “final” relief bill that would cover some of the expenses of opening schools safely. “We can’t get back to normal if the kids are not back in school,” he said this week.
Exactly how much money the nation’s schools need to reopen is a matter of debate, complicated by the conflicting, sometimes shifting advice and guidelines that administrators have received from government agencies and medical authorities.Exactly how much money the nation’s schools need to reopen is a matter of debate, complicated by the conflicting, sometimes shifting advice and guidelines that administrators have received from government agencies and medical authorities.
In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that remote learning was the safest option, and that students in classrooms should remain six feet apart “when feasible.” A six-foot requirement would mean that many schools could accommodate half of their students or fewer at any given time.In May, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that remote learning was the safest option, and that students in classrooms should remain six feet apart “when feasible.” A six-foot requirement would mean that many schools could accommodate half of their students or fewer at any given time.
Given that, many systems planned a hybrid approach, with students splitting their time between classrooms and remote learning. On Wednesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York said students in the nation’s largest school district would most likely attend only one to three days per week if schools open in September.Given that, many systems planned a hybrid approach, with students splitting their time between classrooms and remote learning. On Wednesday, Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York said students in the nation’s largest school district would most likely attend only one to three days per week if schools open in September.
The Trump administration has promoted an alternate set of guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics that suggest three feet of physical distance may be sufficient in classrooms if students wear masks.The Trump administration has promoted an alternate set of guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics that suggest three feet of physical distance may be sufficient in classrooms if students wear masks.
Regardless of which recommendations are followed, reopening schools will require changes. An average-size district of 3,700 students can expect $1.8 million in pandemic-related costs for 2020-21, representing 3 to 4 percent of a typical annual budget, according to an estimate from AASA, the School Superintendents Association. Districts say they typically operate on tight budgets, and even more so this year as state and local tax revenues run low.Regardless of which recommendations are followed, reopening schools will require changes. An average-size district of 3,700 students can expect $1.8 million in pandemic-related costs for 2020-21, representing 3 to 4 percent of a typical annual budget, according to an estimate from AASA, the School Superintendents Association. Districts say they typically operate on tight budgets, and even more so this year as state and local tax revenues run low.
But some experts have suggested that much of what schools are planning for the fall, such as checking students’ symptoms before they board buses or enter schools, is unnecessary, akin to the type of “security theater” Americans became accustomed to after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — reassuring, but often providing only superficial protection.But some experts have suggested that much of what schools are planning for the fall, such as checking students’ symptoms before they board buses or enter schools, is unnecessary, akin to the type of “security theater” Americans became accustomed to after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 — reassuring, but often providing only superficial protection.
That criticism is driven in part by emerging research suggesting that children are not only less likely to be infected by the coronavirus, but also less likely to transmit it to one another or to adults. Some school finance experts have also suggested that districts need to make tougher choices, prioritizing core educational functions.That criticism is driven in part by emerging research suggesting that children are not only less likely to be infected by the coronavirus, but also less likely to transmit it to one another or to adults. Some school finance experts have also suggested that districts need to make tougher choices, prioritizing core educational functions.
Marguerite Roza, director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, suggested that schools could save money by holding core classes in large spaces like auditoriums or gyms, allowing a single teacher to work with more students while keeping everyone physically distanced.Marguerite Roza, director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, suggested that schools could save money by holding core classes in large spaces like auditoriums or gyms, allowing a single teacher to work with more students while keeping everyone physically distanced.
Too few systems, Professor Roza said, were willing to delay planned pay raises for teachers or furlough unneeded staff members. She also suggested cutting programs like indoor sports and chorus, which may not be safe this year because they spread respiratory droplets that can transmit the coronavirus.Too few systems, Professor Roza said, were willing to delay planned pay raises for teachers or furlough unneeded staff members. She also suggested cutting programs like indoor sports and chorus, which may not be safe this year because they spread respiratory droplets that can transmit the coronavirus.
In much of the country, such changes require consideration of teacher contracts. Like many districts, San Diego is currently in tense negotiations with its teachers’ union regarding return-to-work conditions.In much of the country, such changes require consideration of teacher contracts. Like many districts, San Diego is currently in tense negotiations with its teachers’ union regarding return-to-work conditions.
A key demand of many unions is to protect the jobs of teachers who are at high risk of serious illness if they contract the virus, or who live with someone who is high risk. Many of those teachers prefer to continue to work remotely. Nationwide, more than a quarter of the public school teaching force is over the age of 50.A key demand of many unions is to protect the jobs of teachers who are at high risk of serious illness if they contract the virus, or who live with someone who is high risk. Many of those teachers prefer to continue to work remotely. Nationwide, more than a quarter of the public school teaching force is over the age of 50.
Mr. Goldstein said he was eager to return to his fifth-grade classroom in San Diego. But like many teachers across the country, he was not yet convinced that his district had enough money, or the detailed plans in place, to protect the health of employees and students, especially given rising coronavirus caseloads in California and many other states.Mr. Goldstein said he was eager to return to his fifth-grade classroom in San Diego. But like many teachers across the country, he was not yet convinced that his district had enough money, or the detailed plans in place, to protect the health of employees and students, especially given rising coronavirus caseloads in California and many other states.
Updated July 7, 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.
He would feel more assured, he said, if teachers could be guaranteed small class sizes — he had 35 students on his roster last year — and if school staff and students could be regularly tested for the virus, something the C.D.C. said was unnecessary.He would feel more assured, he said, if teachers could be guaranteed small class sizes — he had 35 students on his roster last year — and if school staff and students could be regularly tested for the virus, something the C.D.C. said was unnecessary.
Administrators forging ahead with plans for full-time physical school, even as the virus rages, may have been seized by a type of “wishful thinking,” Mr. Goldstein added.Administrators forging ahead with plans for full-time physical school, even as the virus rages, may have been seized by a type of “wishful thinking,” Mr. Goldstein added.
Ms. Marten, the San Diego superintendent, has the job of trying to balance all of the competing needs and requirements to get students and teachers back in classrooms.Ms. Marten, the San Diego superintendent, has the job of trying to balance all of the competing needs and requirements to get students and teachers back in classrooms.
Closing school buildings in the spring brought the district some savings — lower utility bills and fuel costs for vehicles, for example — but did not come close to covering the $30 million it took to transition to remote learning, she said. The district took on a variety of expenses, including meal distribution for low-income families and providing laptop chargers and home internet connections for students who lacked them. It also offered hazard pay to staff members who delivered those meals and devices.Closing school buildings in the spring brought the district some savings — lower utility bills and fuel costs for vehicles, for example — but did not come close to covering the $30 million it took to transition to remote learning, she said. The district took on a variety of expenses, including meal distribution for low-income families and providing laptop chargers and home internet connections for students who lacked them. It also offered hazard pay to staff members who delivered those meals and devices.
The district has not made significant program or staff cuts.The district has not made significant program or staff cuts.
When schools shut down in Dundee, Mich., the rural district of 1,700 students an hour from Detroit did reallocate $350,000 intended for a new athletics complex, according to the superintendent, Edward Manuszak. It spent much of that money preserving jobs.When schools shut down in Dundee, Mich., the rural district of 1,700 students an hour from Detroit did reallocate $350,000 intended for a new athletics complex, according to the superintendent, Edward Manuszak. It spent much of that money preserving jobs.
Mr. Manuszak said that one of his priorities was maintaining trust between the district, its employees and the community during a difficult time.Mr. Manuszak said that one of his priorities was maintaining trust between the district, its employees and the community during a difficult time.
Superintendents in districts without collective bargaining have more flexibility in how they staff their schools under pandemic conditions. Teachers who work for Marietta City Schools in Georgia can ask to go on leave if they are uncomfortable returning to physical classrooms, said Grant Rivera, the superintendent. But they might not receive full pay and will not have the opportunity to work from home, he said.Superintendents in districts without collective bargaining have more flexibility in how they staff their schools under pandemic conditions. Teachers who work for Marietta City Schools in Georgia can ask to go on leave if they are uncomfortable returning to physical classrooms, said Grant Rivera, the superintendent. But they might not receive full pay and will not have the opportunity to work from home, he said.
Dr. Rivera plans to staff the district’s remote learning program, which will be an option for any family that chooses it, from among those teachers who are willing to return to school and who have also demonstrated skill in online instruction.Dr. Rivera plans to staff the district’s remote learning program, which will be an option for any family that chooses it, from among those teachers who are willing to return to school and who have also demonstrated skill in online instruction.
He faces a daunting to-do list as he prepares to reopen the school system on Aug. 4. The district plans to spend $200,000 to install desk partitions in classrooms where it will be impossible for students and teachers to stay six feet apart. It will also distribute masks, which will be required for teachers and students, and hire an employee to assist with contact tracing.He faces a daunting to-do list as he prepares to reopen the school system on Aug. 4. The district plans to spend $200,000 to install desk partitions in classrooms where it will be impossible for students and teachers to stay six feet apart. It will also distribute masks, which will be required for teachers and students, and hire an employee to assist with contact tracing.
To pay for it all, the superintendent is looking for philanthropic support, lobbying his county for $2.9 million in additional funds and also hoping for federal aid.To pay for it all, the superintendent is looking for philanthropic support, lobbying his county for $2.9 million in additional funds and also hoping for federal aid.
“You can see what they value,” he said of political leaders, “by what they spend their money on.”“You can see what they value,” he said of political leaders, “by what they spend their money on.”