Follow the science.Opening schools for in-person learning as safely and quickly as possible, and keeping them open, is important given the many known and established benefits of in-person learning. (CDC) |
The issue of our priorities is perhaps even more important than the science. Why in April and May was Europe actively doing what they could in a team of scientists, public health officials and school administrators to open schools asap while the US became increasingly stuck in a gridlock of fear and blame and political division? One thing I know is that a generation of kids has already paid and will continue to pay a price for it. -Tracy Høeg, MD, PhD
Are we willing to put our students first?
Children and adolescents are probably more likely to experience high rates of depression and most likely anxiety during and after enforced isolation ends. This may increase as enforced isolation continues. Clinical services should offer preventive support and early intervention where possible and be prepared for an increase in mental health problems.
"Young people have proven especially vulnerable to mental health issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. School closures, having to learn remotely and isolating from friends due to social distancing have been sources of stress and loneliness. A review of the international literature identified high rates of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic symptoms among children during the pandemic."
"45 minutes of discussion between Vinay Prasad and [Tracy Høeg] covering months of research and data from our country and across the globe on K-12 school opening. Not just this, but also a consideration of where our priorities lie as a society compared with other nations."
"There is growing concern about the mental health of PSB students, as highlighted in a recent presentation to the School Committee by guidance and ELE staff and reinforced by recent School Committee listening sessions with students in grades 6-12 and caregivers at all schools, and Panel 4’s February 12, 2021 meeting with school- and community-based counseling, social work, mental health, and pediatrics professionals."
|
What do the experts say?
Lower physical distancing policies can be adopted in school settings with masking mandates without negatively impacting student or staff safety.
"physical distancing significantly reduces risk in unmasked settings but has no practical effect once risks already have been lowered by universal mask wearing"
"Based on the data available, in-person learning in schools has not been associated with substantial community transmission."
"The AAP continues to strongly advocate that all policy considerations for school COVID-19 plans should start with a goal of having students physically present in school."
"In a setting of widespread community SARS-CoV-2 transmission, few instances of in-school transmission were identified among students and staff members, with limited spread among children within their cohorts and no documented transmission to or from staff members."
"In the 17 rural Wisconsin schools surveyed, only seven cases were linked to in-school transmission out of 4,876 pupils, and no staff members were infected at school during the study period."
DUKE STUDY: WHEN SCHOOLS TAKE COVID SAFETY MEASURES, VIRAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR IN-PERSON SCHOOLING ARE LOWER THAN IN COMMUNITY
|
Mental Health Repercussions
"social isolation was associated with an increased risk for depressive symptoms, suicide attempts, and low self-esteem"
"During the pandemic, suicidal thinking is up. And families find that hospitals can’t handle adolescents in crisis."
“Disasters last a really long time in the lives of children,” Rather than “bouncing back,” as many adults seem to expect, children incorporate trauma into their growth and future lives. Unfortunately, adults don’t usually consider that in their policy creations, especially when it comes to dealing with crises. “People are talking about vulnerability, but they are not talking about children at all,”
|