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Is the reopening of schools a risk for teachers? A question we asked ourselves both in Italy and abroad, especially in September, when going back to class after the summer break generated anxiety and concern. Recurring contagion concerns even as we face a particularly aggressive second wave of coronavirus.
How much risk are teachers at school?
An English study of England Public Health (the British government health system), conducted when many schools had not yet reopened, suggested that staff were more likely to contract the virus from other staff, or outside of school, than from pupils. It can be read on the BBC website, which says:
Staff should be alert for coronavirus outside of school and care should be taken in shared areas, such as staff rooms, when working.
The staff room puts more at risk than the class
In conclusion, the staff room has a higher risk of contagion than the classroom.
However, in general, the British government does not consider schools to be high-risk workplaces. Even the most fragile staff should return to class, it is argued, provided measures such as social distancing and frequent hand hygiene are in place.
Always studying England Public Health suggested there very few cases of transmission between school personnel and students. And while little data was available for secondary schools, all the evidence shows that in countries where schools have reopened, the data suggests it made little difference to community transmission of the virus.
Many unions oppose reopening
A sensitive issue on which, since classes were resumed in September, Northern Europe has also debated lively, in the same terms and with the same arguments and dynamics as ours. It is no accident that even Britain has seen the union rise up to reopen schools.
In particular, Unison, the public sector union, has argued in recent months: “Social distancing in schools will be very difficult, little personal protective equipment has been provided.” And again: “Fragile staff should be able to request an individual risk assessment.”
Traveling from the UK
Meanwhile, Britain’s new strain of Covid-19 raises even greater concerns. Recently the announcement of the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza on the new Ordinance of the Ministry (in force until January 6) that determines the immediate interruption of air connections from the United Kingdom. Entry or transit in Italy is prohibited to anyone who has been in Great Britain in the last 14 days. This was stated by the Consulate General of Italy in London.
Reopening of schools in Italy
As for Italy, the reopening of schools must be confirmed by January 7, 2021, as also stated tonight, December 20, by the Minister of Education Lucía Azzolina. “We must not miss a single hour of school,” says the minister.
After all, argues epidemiologist Sara Gandini, in school monitoring is easier and more structured than in other places, as we have in another article. Gandini also cites a study that also confirms the claims of Public Health England: “Children and adolescents are infected less and less than adults. The incidence of cases at the end of November in students is on average around 0.25%, therefore much lower than that of teachers, which was around 1 or 2%”.
