Teachers turn desks into cars against covid-19 0:45
(CNN) - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its school guide on Friday. The update adds more detail to existing guidelines that will better inform administrators' decisions about opening schools and limiting risk, according to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield.
Redfield said the updated guidance is the result of discussions the CDC has been having with districts about how to better operate during a pandemic.
The updated guidelines emphasize the importance of keeping schools open if possible.
Children, with lower risk
"The many benefits of face-to-face education must be weighed against the risks posed by covid-19," the guidelines said. Available evidence from countries that have reopened schools showed that COVID-19 "presents a low risk for school-age children, at least in areas with low community transmission."
In general, he adds, children are less likely to have severe symptoms than adults. However, the risk of teachers, school administrators and other staff "will mirror that of other adults in the community" if they become ill, the guidelines said.
Schools are still encouraged to make accommodations for staff and students most at risk for serious illness that will limit their risk of exposure.
Schools are also encouraged to divide students and teachers into separate groups, if possible, to stay together for the entire school day for in-person learning. Alternate hours or staggered scheduling can also be a good idea to limit interaction.
The guidelines encourage schools to develop a protocol to monitor local COVID-19 data in the community to track levels of transmission and make decisions on mitigation strategies and determine if school closures may be necessary.
To school like at the airport, with thermal cameras 3:44Keeping schools open safe
Good hand hygiene is emphasized. Learning stations and activities should have fewer students per group, and students should be positioned within 2 meters if possible, advises the CDC.
The old guidelines encouraged the use of face covers, but said they could be "challenging for students." While the updated guidelines mention the challenge for some students, particularly younger students or students with asthma, it emphasizes that cloth face coverings and masks are "one of many important mitigation strategies."
Consistent wearing of masks is most important when students, teachers, and staff are indoors and when physical distancing is difficult. People should be reminded not to touch the mask and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, the guidelines say.
It may be preferable for teachers of young students to cover their faces with a transparent covering, for example when teaching students to read. Clear face covers can also be helpful for teachers working with students who are learning English and for students with disabilities.
Universities close, but cinemas open in the US 1:20Keep everything clean
Schools are encouraged to increase the frequency of routine cleaning and disinfection.
They should also consider upgrading the ventilation system or other improvements to increase clean air delivery. When weather permits, schools should open windows and increase outside air circulation in the school. Fans can help and schools should consider running the HVAC system at maximum outside air flow for two hours before and after school is busy. However, schools must be careful in highly polluted areas.
A different lunch
Cafeterias should avoid offering self-service food or drink. Meals must be individually packaged or prepackaged. Food service items such as trays and utensils should be disposable if possible. If possible, schools are encouraged to have children eat outside or in their classrooms, rather than in a common dining room.
Schools should provide contactless payment methods if possible, hand sanitizer near the checkout, and foot pedal and contactless trash cans.
Teachers turn desks into cars against covid-19 0:45Schools must continue to ensure that students do not share food or utensils.
Student trips
Schools should limit non-essential travel and should consider postponing or canceling international travel programs for students.
If staff or students use public transportation or carpooling, they should consider transportation that minimizes close contact with others, such as biking, walking, or driving with only household members.
When someone gets sick
CDC continues to encourage schools to work closely with local and public health leaders if there is an infected person on campus. Rather than shutting everything down immediately for a long period of time, the guidelines say an initial short-term suspension from classes and cancellation of after-school events and activities is one option, so public health leaders can get the time they need to determine how widespread the infections are.
When schools use a pod system to keep certain students together, administrators may only need to close certain parts of the building where an infected person had been. If local health officials recommend not closing the building, school leaders should clean that area thoroughly.
The decision to suspend school altogether should be made on a case-by-case basis using the most up-to-date information on the pandemic, in accordance with the guidelines, taking into account the local case count and the degree of ongoing transmission in the community.
Clear communications
If a school needs to close, administrators should establish transparent criteria for when the school will suspend in-person learning to curb the spread and also have transparent criteria for when the school will reopen.
Schools are encouraged to communicate "regularly" and "transparently" with staff, teachers, students, and families, including about mental health support services available at the school. Sharing facts "will counteract the spread of misinformation and mitigate fear," the guidelines said.
Schools should use existing information systems for daily notification of details such as the number of cases, the number of students who are absent, the number of visits to the health center.
To open schools or not? The 1918 Example 1:18Mental health
Schools must offer distance counseling and ensure continuity of mental health services. Schools should also encourage students who feel overwhelmed and want to harm themselves or others to call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Line, 1-800-273-TALK.
Schools should also consider posting signs at the school for the national emergency hotline which is 1-800-985-5990.
Inclusivity
The CDC also added more inclusive language to its guidelines, emphasizing that critical communications should be accessible to people with disabilities and limited English proficiency. It added a full section on how schools should accommodate children with disabilities or special health care needs, fostering a personalized or individualized approach for students who may need the help.
Schools should also ensure that direct service providers working with these students are asked if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and, if they work in other schools, if there are positive cases in those classrooms.
"We owe it to the children of our nation to take personal responsibility to do everything possible to reduce the level of Covid-19, so that we can all return to school safely," said Redfield. “Schools provide a safe environment for children and grandchildren to learn and grow academically, socially and emotionally, but schools are not islands unto themselves. They are connected to the communities around them.
