Short Wave The Science Is Simple, So Why Is Opening Schools So Complicated?
Aug 17, 2020
Cory Turner, NPR's education correspondent, digs into the complexities of school reopenings during the pandemic. He discusses what science reveals about COVID-19's effects on children and the varied approaches districts are taking. Turner emphasizes the importance of considering community health and local infection rates in decision-making. The conversation also touches on rapid testing's role in safety and the often politicized nature of public health discussions. Parenting challenges add a lighter touch to the serious matter of getting students back in classrooms.
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Differing School Approaches
- Allison Aubrey's children are learning virtually until 2021.
- Cory Turner's children's schools are also virtual, while Jeff Brumfiel's kids have a hybrid model.
Kids and COVID-19
- Children are less severely affected by COVID-19 than adults but can still transmit it.
- 97,000 children tested positive in the last two weeks of July.
Teacher and Family Risk
- A primary concern for school reopening is the health of teachers and staff, many of whom are older or immunocompromised.
- Multi-generational families also pose a risk, as children could infect older relatives.