Schools should open with caution and care

by Bob Sweeney

I’m for opening the schools again using every safety measure possible. Online learning has helped many students that have computers and parents who participate in this learning process. But, for many single or working parents, they do not have the time or computers to advance on-line-learning.

I would send my four children to school, but they have already passed through Cherry Creeks schools and Colorado Universities.

Nonetheless, I would risk sending them to school today. But, the decision is up to each family to make. The same decision about going out for dinner, attending church, or gatherings; proceed at your own risk. The choice is up to each person and their personal health evaluation. Senior citizens seem to be a target for the virus, but that is primarily because of aging health issues. The Covid-19 virus can, and does, impact younger people.

The Wall Street Journal edition of July 15 had a very eye-opening article on a new surge of the virus in Israel schools. The story related Covid-19 virus increased to around 1,500 cases per day nationwide from a low of fewer than 50 a day about two months ago.”

“The surge followed outbreaks in schools that had infected at least 1,335 students and 691 staff since the schools reopened in early May,” according to the education ministry.”

“Epidemiological surveys by Israel’s health ministry showed that after Israel opened its entire school system without restrictions on May 17, a spike in infections occurred among the country’s youth that later spread to the general population. Government figures also showed that in the month of June, schools were the second highest known place of infection outside people’s own communities.”

Key to the article was opening the schools with up to 40 students in classrooms with no restrictions. Now school officials are using many new methods of classroom safety, plastic barriers, student capsules, and social distancing. It appears that they learned the hard way that schools can reopen, but now with many safety precautions in place. It does appear that young students can contract the Covid-19 virus. They did not report any deaths from the outbreaks.

So, our schools should open with caution and care.