NASHVILLE, Tennessee (WTVF) – Many Tennessee school districts have announced plans to resume classes for the upcoming school year, and some are choosing options in person at the peak of the pandemic. So what should parents know?
Lead investigative reporter Phil Williams (@ NC5PhilWilliams) has compiled a Twitter data thread highlighting what health officials are saying about the reopening of schools.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the safest option is for “students and teachers. [to] participate in virtual classes, activities, and events only, “while the greatest risk would include” full-size face-to-face classes. “
First, let’s start with what the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC) says is the safest option: “Students and teachers participate in virtual classes, activities, and events.” 3 / pic.twitter.com/8p8uhPZDlc
– Phil Williams (@ NC5PhilWilliams) July 11, 2020
The American Academy of Pediatrics initially stated that “all policy considerations for the upcoming school year should begin with the goal of having students physically present at school.”
The AAP guideline was based on the experience that children do not get as sick as adults when exposed to the virus. Children make up 15% of all known cases in Tennessee, even though we are not routinely testing.
So far, there have been three deaths.
Since then, the AAP, joining the teachers’ unions, withdrew that original statement and now said that “we must seek the safe reopening for all students, teachers and staff.” “
“We should let health experts tell us when is the best time to open school buildings and listen to educators and administrators to determine how we do it,” the joint statement added.
For schools that opt for in-person classes, the CDC recommends wearing masks, saying “teach and reinforce [the] wearing cloth face covers, “although they can be” challenging for students to use in all-day settings, such as school. “The AAP has similar advice for elementary schools.
However, Rutherford County will not require face masks in schools at this time. Rutherford County is also experiencing what the state considers “unacceptable transmission rates.”
Davidson County was also included in that list of unacceptable transmission rates. Last week, Metro Schools announced that the district would begin remotely until at least Labor Day.
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Nashville is set to open all 19 Middle Tennessee schools in early August.
Read the Phil Williams thread in its entirety below:
Many TN school districts are now announcing plans to resume classes, many with face-to-face options, at the highest peak of the # COVID19 pandemic. What are the questions parents should ask themselves? NEW THREAD 1 / pic.twitter.com/Dp6P8VPsQz
– Phil Williams (@ NC5PhilWilliams) July 11, 2020
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What is COVID-19 (also known as the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses. Examples include Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A new coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 means “coronavirus disease 2019”, which is when this strain of coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says that patients confirmed to have 2019-nCoV allegedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Cold
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or odor.
At this time, the CDC believes that symptoms can appear as early as two days after exposure, or up to 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC recommends “common sense” measures such as:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth cover when you are around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a disposable tissue, then throw it away.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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