School Districts Nationwide Delay Opening Due To Omicron Surge
Updated on
- Written by Stacey Rowan Woensdregt, Journalist, Former Writer
Despite hopes for US schools to reopen, educational disruptions have now been felt across the US school system. After a recent surge in the Omicron variant, many school districts have delayed opening with many parents left scrambling. This according to The New York Times.
Along with the delayed scheduled return to the classroom, school districts have experienced an increase in staff shortages as well as available testing, despite attempts to roll out mass school testing.
Recent School Closures Result In Remote Learning
According to Reuters, public schools in Washington DC and New York City remain open with negative testing required by schoolchildren. Al Jeera reports that some urban school districts in New Jersey have resorted to virtual classes, as well as in Winsconsin with Milwaukee’s public school system.
In Pontiac and Ann Arbor, Michigan, some schools remain remote while the Detroit school system remains closed. Further to this, eight schools in Ohio and Columbus have closed as well as 12 schools in Pittsburgh.
According to Burbio, as of January 4, 2022, more than 2750 school closures have occurred nationally. For more information on school closures, visit Burbio.
Worrisome Number Of Children Hospitalized With Covid-19
NBC News released a startling article on the increasing number of children hospitalized within the US. The article reports that a minimum of nine US states have reported high numbers of Covid-19-related pediatric hospitalizations. These include Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Maine, Connecticut, and Georgia and Washington D.C.
Now, with a spike in infected children and many youths requiring hospital-based care, it is important to up-play the significance of the virus in children and ensure utmost safety with the opening of some schools. Furthermore, parents need to check their child’s health and become aware of the symptoms to ensure effective measures are taken.
Symptoms in infected children include, according to NBC News, trouble breathing, dehydration, and persistent pressure and pain in the chest. Should a child show any one of these symptoms, the parent is advised to keep the child from attending school.
Further Recommendations For Parents And Schoolchildren
According to Al Jazeera, school administrators and parents are finding it difficult to implement rapidly-changing practices and health and safety guidance. While different school districts, and specific educational institutions, practice varying regulations, it is important for parents to keep abreast of their child’s school’s guidelines and keep an eye on their health.
While some schools remain open, with testing required before entering, others are turning to remote learning or virtual schooling.
For those able to return to school, full vaccinations are recommendations as well as the wearing of masks. Children must also be advised to keep their distance and practice good hygiene, with the use of sanitizer.
Increased Health Education And Promotion For Children
Parents are advised to provide age-appropriate health promotion and education, as well as develop and provide appropriate engaging, fun hygiene and social distancing education. This according to The World Health Organization.
Targeting schoolchildren with appropriate education and promotion will help reinforce health and safety at school, help children to gain a full understanding of Covid-19, and increase their compliance during school attendance.
FDA Amends Emergency Use Authorization For Vaccine For Children
Along with the above measures, parents of schoolchildren are advised that the US Food and Drug Administration has recently amended the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid019 Vaccine.
As stated on the FDA website, teenagers between the ages of 12 and 15 years are able to use a single Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose. Adding to this, the FDA has reduced the timeframe between primary vaccination completion of this specific vaccine and the booster shot to five months.
Lastly, children aged between five and 11 years suffering from compromised immunities are allowed to use a third primary series dose.
More news and updates to follow regarding school closures and health and safety among the youth.
