Lessons from COVID-19: School Closures and Risk Management

This chapter analyzes the impact of teachers' unions on school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, critiquing the flexible interpretations of safety and citing international examples that challenge the necessity of prolonged closures. It emphasizes the need for evidence-based decision-making and critical thinking, revealing how flawed models influenced decisions that led to significant negative outcomes for students, particularly in underprivileged communities. The chapter concludes by advocating for rebuilding trust in science and improving public health communication to prevent similar pitfalls in future crises.