Updated: Feb. 19, 2021
Originally Published: Feb. 19, 2021
The past year has highlighted a crucial message: don’t be inconsiderate. Various forms of inconsiderate behavior have emerged, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some individuals have always acted this way, while others have become inconsiderate due to circumstances or personal beliefs, like those who neglect to wear their masks properly.
To put it plainly: individuals who are aware of the rules and consciously choose to ignore them are being inconsiderate. Breaking rules designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is a distinct form of inconsiderate behavior, often driven by a self-centered focus on personal safety rather than the well-being of others. Yet, by adhering to straightforward guidelines, we can create a safe environment for our kids and their teachers to learn and teach. What is necessary to reopen schools safely? It requires common sense and diligence — both are essential to ensuring schools can open and remain open.
Recently, the CDC provided five key strategies to assist schools across the U.S.: wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, ensuring cleanliness, promoting handwashing, and following respiratory etiquette. Dr. Sarah Mitchell, CDC Director, emphasized in a CNN report, “The safest way to open schools is to minimize disease in the community. The spread of COVID-19 in schools is linked to community transmission.” Additional measures to ensure safety include keeping students in cohorts, using color-coded charts to indicate transmission levels, and prioritizing vaccinations for teachers — and eventually students.
The current administration is dedicated to safely returning students and teachers to classrooms — provided that the community adheres to the CDC’s guidelines. It’s not complicated; it’s a level of compliance that even my five-year-old can grasp. Unfortunately, for some, following these protocols appears to be a significant challenge.
Take, for instance, Maple High School in Springfield, Oregon, which briefly reopened for in-person learning only to shut down again after a party resulted in a COVID outbreak. With 24 confirmed cases linked to primary or secondary exposure, the school had to revert to distance learning due to the lack of safety measures. We must recognize that this isn’t an isolated case; as long as there are gatherings, there will inevitably be risks.
Until both parents and students commit to following the necessary guidelines to reduce infection rates and allow classrooms to remain open, we will need to rely on our collective common sense. The constant back-and-forth between in-person and remote instruction, prompted by irresponsible decisions like attending gatherings, is troubling on multiple fronts. The choices we make as a community significantly impact everyone’s health and safety.
When school officials are compelled to switch back to remote learning due to potential COVID-19 exposure, vague terms like “may” and “might” populate communications, ultimately hindering the learning process for those wishing to engage in-person.
So, what can parents do to better protect their children and educators as schools begin to reopen? It starts with following the rules. Birthday parties and gatherings can wait. Utilizing services like Instacart or curbside pickup can minimize exposure risks. It’s as simple as following basic guidelines.
As schools strive to reopen and officials commit to supporting our children’s education, it’s essential for us to do our part and ensure our kids are adhering to safety protocols. The education and safety of everyone involved hinge on our willingness to exercise common sense and comply with the rules. While the CDC can provide guidelines, the responsibility ultimately falls on us.
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Summary:
This article discusses the challenges faced by schools attempting to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly due to noncompliance by parents and students. It highlights the importance of following CDC guidelines to ensure safety in educational environments, citing specific examples of schools that had to close due to outbreaks linked to social gatherings. The piece calls for community responsibility and basic adherence to safety protocols to protect children, educators, and public health.